Diamond

High-end jewelry store in Paris robbed

by International

Paris, France – On April 29, 2023, a high-end jewelry store experienced a robbery. Video recorded by eyewitness shows a subject standing outside the store wearing a helmet and holding a gun. Two subjects then exited from the inside of the businesses, and all three subjects escaped.

The same store was targeted in September 2021, and suspects from that incident stole jewelry of a significant value. In that crime, one of the suspects was shot in the leg by police, and then arrested, and subsequently convicted. Two other suspects were also arrested for their involvement in the robbery that occurred in September 2021.

Law enforcement are searching for the subjects involved in the most recent robbery. If you have any information regarding the subjects involved, please contact the Jewelers’ Security Alliance at jsa2@jewelerssecurity.org or 212-687-0328.

Footage of the outside of the store was posted to social media and is viewable below.

Seal_of_the_United_States_Department_of_Justice.svg

Suspect convicted after committing 3 robberies on the same day

by Arrests

Baltimore, MD – On April 25, 2023, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland issued a press release announcing the conviction of 29-year-old Keith Poynter, who committed three robberies on the same day, where he targeted jewelry in each crime.

The press release is posted verbatim below:

Department of Justice
U.S. Attorney’s Office
District of Maryland
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, April 25, 2023

Baltimore Man Convicted After a Four-Day Trial for Three Robberies Committed at Gunpoint
Fired the Gun Several Times During One of the Robberies


Baltimore, Maryland �” A federal jury convicted Keith Poynter, Jr., age 29, of Baltimore, Maryland, yesterday on federal charges related to a series of armed commercial robberies, all committed in one day, and for discharging his weapon during one of the robberies.

The conviction was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Erek L. Barron; Special Agent in Charge Thomas J. Sobocinski of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office; Commissioner Michael Harrison of the Baltimore Police Department; and Chief Robert McCullough of the Baltimore County Police Department.

According to court documents and evidence presented during his four-day trial, Poynter conspired with others, including Benjamin Bunn, Jr. and Tiffany Gardner, to rob businesses in Baltimore City and Baltimore County. Specifically, on December 6, 2019, Poynter and another man robbed a jewelry store in the 200 block of N. Howard Street. The evidence showed that the other robber placed a machete in the door to prevent it from locking. Poynter brandished a weapon and struck a glass countertop, causing the gun to fire. Poynter then fired two more shots into another glass case and removed jewelry and other merchandise, all in the presence of store employees. Poynter and the other man then got into a silver Acura TL, which was occupied and operated by Bunn and Gardner and left the area.

According to trial testimony, a short time later, Poynter entered a jewelry store in the Security Square Mall in Baltimore County. Poynter approached a store employee, brandished a handgun and demanded jewelry. After taking the jewelry, Poynter left the store and got back into the silver Acura TL, where Bunn and Gardner waited. The group then left the area. Approximately two hours later, Poynter entered a pawn shop in the 6600 block of Reisterstown Road, brandished a firearm, demanded jewelry and threatened to shoot a customer. Poynter took jewelry and other merchandise and left the store, again entering the silver Acura TL where Bunn and Gardner waited.

Poynter faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison for the robbery conspiracy, for each count of three counts of commercial robbery and for conspiracy to use a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. Poynter faces a mandatory minimum of seven years and up to life in prison for each of two counts of using and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence; and a mandatory minimum of 10 years and up to life in federal prison for discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. U.S. District Judge Stephanie A. Gallagher has not yet scheduled sentencing for Poynter.

Benjamin Bunn, Jr., age 37, of Baltimore, pleaded guilty to his role in the robberies a few days before trial began and is scheduled to be sentenced on July 13, 2023. Tiffany Gardner, age 27, of Baltimore, also pleaded guilty and was sentenced to five years in federal prison.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (“PSN”), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

United States Attorney Erek L. Barron commended the FBI, the Baltimore Police Department and the Baltimore County Police Department for their work in the investigation. Mr. Barron thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney John W. Sippel, Jr. and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Meehan, who are prosecuting the case.

For more information on the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/project-safe-neighborhoods-psn and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.

Source:

Topic(s):
Project Safe Neighborhoods
Violent Crime
Firearms Offenses
Component(s):
USAO – Maryland

Contact:
Marcia Lubin
(410) 209-4854
Updated April 25, 2023

Picture of Diamond

Two jewelry stores burglarized in similar manner in just over a week

by Crime News

Stockton, CA – On April 18, 2023, at approximately 3:45 a.m., a burglary occurred at a retail jewelry store. Several subjects used a car to repeatedly ram into the front of the jewelry store. Seven or eight male subjects dressed in hoodies, proceeded to pull open the store’s metal sliding gate, and break into the store. The subject’s stole jade and bangles, but they did not obtain expensive pieces. The subjects escaped in five minutes.

On April 10, 2023, another jewelry store a little more than a mile away from the most recent burglary, suffered their own burglary at 3:30 a.m. In that incident a car was also used to smash into the front of the jewelry store. Watch the video below to learn more about these crimes. If you have any information regarding these subjects, please contact the Jewelers’ Security Alliance at jsa2@jewelerssecurity.org.

Picture of former department store employee.

Former Employee Stole Over $100K Worth of Jewelry

by Crime News

Las Vegas, NV – On April 11, 2023, a former employee of a department store, identified as Carlos Flores-Ochoa, was arrested at his home in Las Vegas, NV.

The arrest took place following a months-long investigation. An arrest report indicated that Flores-Ochoa stole 23 pieces of jewelry worth an estimated $146,000 between October 7th, 2022, and November 4th, 2022. A loss prevention officer reported the crimes. Flores-Ochoa had reportedly confessed to the thefts on November 8, 2022, which is the same day he was fired.

Police were provided with video footage showing Flores-Ochoa disarming security alarms on display cases and placing stolen items in his vest. Flores-Ochoa then allegedly sold the items at a pawn shop.

Picture of former department store employee.

Subject committing armed robbery

Video: Subject wanted for shooting at employees during robbery

by Crime Videos

West Valley City, UT – On March 25, 2023, at approximately 6:00 p.m., a male subject entered an in-door swap meet, and then went to a booth selling jewelry. The subject then took out a gun and fired several shots at employees. He proceeded to then use a hammer to smash open the display cases and then fled from the business. One worker was grazed by a bullet, and all survived.

The subject was described as being Hispanic and between 5’8″ and 6 ‘0″ tall. He wore all black, including a black beanie, tan boots, sunglasses, and an American flag bandanna, that covered his face. Watch the videos below to learn more. If you have any information regarding this subject, please contact the Jewelers’ Security Alliance at jsa2@jewelerssecurity.org

Daniel Bright

Robber killed by jeweler

by Crime News

Denver, CO – On April 6, 2023, a 31-year-old robber, identified as Daniel Bright, was shot and killed by an employee of a pawn shop. During the robbery, which occurred six minutes after the store opened, Bright went to the store’s salespeople at gunpoint, and said “open the jewelry case.”

The pawn shops jeweler was at the opposite end of the store when the robbery started. The jeweler, a 45-year-old man, approached the robber from behind and shot and killed him.

The suspect featured below is the deceased, Daniel Bright. He was identified by the Arapahoe County Coroner’s Office. Bright has previously received a 10-year prison sentence for a robbery committed in Denver, CO.

Daniel Bright's Convictions

Convicted Arizona Robber

Convicted Robbers Sentenced to a Combined Total of 36.75 Years in Prison

by Crime News

Glendale, AZ – On March 16, 2022, four suspects committed a gunpoint smash and grab robbery at a jewelry store. Upon entering the store, the suspects ordered everyone to the ground. One of the suspects, identified as Kenneth Ray Walton Jr. held a taser, while a second man, identified as Monta Lamont Harris held the gun. Walton Jr., Harris, and their accomplices, Gary Wayne Freeny and Deandre Donte Haven, zip-tied employees who were laying on the ground.

While Harris pointed a gun at an employee’s head, the other suspects stole phones, car keys, and wallets. Haven then smashed display cases with a hammer. The suspects then began shoving jewelry into pillowcases.

Harris forced an employee to walk to a vault at gunpoint, where he then stole a large quantity of cash. The suspects realized the police were at the scene, and they tried to escape, but they were arrested.

Each of the suspects pleaded guilty to felony charges of one count of burglary in the first degree, and one count of armed robbery. On March 27, 2023, a judge sentenced Gary Wayne Freeny to 10.5 years in prison. Monta Lamont Harris was sentenced to 11.25 years in prison. Deandre Donte Haven was sentenced to 7 years in prison. Kenneth Ray Wilson Jr. was sentenced to 8 years in prison.

Convicted Robbers

The mugshots of the suspects are featured above.

Ariel Foster

Collegiate Athlete Stole More Than $500K From Jewelry Employer

by Arrests

Burlington, MA – On March 8, 2023, 19-year-old Ariel Foster was arrested in her dorm room at Lasalle University. An investigation into Foster started on February 22, 2023. The investigation revealed she profited hundreds of thousands of dollars by marking up the price of items sold at the jewelry store where she worked. She would then refund the difference to her credit card.

Foster made eight transactions over the course of 3 days at the jewelry store where she worked. Foster, who had studied criminal justice, used the ill-gotten proceeds to purchase a $35,000 Tesla, $20,000 for a hotel in Maui, Hawaii, approximately $6,000 in fees at Delta Airlines, and close to $5,000 spent on a Louis Vuitton purse.

Foster was a track athlete at Lasalle University. Her information has been removed from Lasalle University’s roster of track athletes. Watch the videos below to learn more about this crime.

Joshua Nichols

Son of Oklahoma City Bombing Accomplice Pleads Guilty to Kidnapping and Robbing Jeweler

by Crime News

Las Vegas, NV – On March 15, 2023, Joshua Nichols, 40, the son of Oklahoma City Bombing accomplice Terry Nichols, pleaded guilty to armed robbery and the kidnapping of a 67-year-old jeweler.

On February 6, 2020, a jeweler was lured into a home by Joshua Nichols, George William Moya III, and a female subject. Prior to the robbery, Moya III laid costume jewelry on a kitchen table. The jeweler then heard a noise. The jeweler soon learned it was the slide of a handgun behind him. Nichols aimed a gun at the side of the jeweler’s head. Nichols then ordered the jeweler to remove his jacket and pants.

Nichols stole $1,700 in cash from the jeweler’s wallet. He also stole the jeweler’s bracelets, rings, and other items.

Nichols was arrested on March 12, 2020. Nichols and Moya III each accepted plea deals to avoid trial, which would have started in April 2023. Nichols faces a minimum of 5 years in prison, but he could receive a sentence of over 17 years imprisonment. Nichols’ accomplice Moya III also pleaded guilty to robbery with a deadly weapon.

Nichols is the son of Terry Nichols, 65, who is serving a lifetime prison sentence for aiding Timothy McVeigh in committing a bombing at a federal building in Oklahoma City, OK in 1995, which resulted in 168 people being killed.

Image of Joshua Nichols

Image of Joshua Nichols at the Regional Justice Court in Las Vegas, NV on March 15, 2023.