CrimeApr 14, 2022
Luxury Retail Veteran Killed in Outlet Mall Shooting CrimeApr 19, 2022
Man Found Guilty of Running $20M Retail Theft Ring
Artur Gilowski, 48, made more than $1 million selling stolen merchandise online, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.
Dallas—An Illinois man could spend up to 25 years in prison after being convicted of spearheading a multi-million-dollar operation in which merchandise stolen from brick-and-mortar stores was sold online.
Following a four-day trial in late March, a federal jury found 48-year-old Artur Gilowski, of Barrington, Illinois, guilty of conspiracy to commit interstate transportation of stolen property and conspiracy to commit mail fraud.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Dallas said Gilowski’s co-conspirators stole thousands of items worth about $20 million from stores across the United States.
The thieves traveled across the country in vehicles often registered to fictious persons or tied to nonexistent addresses and used “booster skirts”—garments with concealed pouches— and electronic transmitters designed to interfere with stores’ anti-theft systems.
They stole from Best Buy, Staples, OfficeMax, Office Depot, Walmart, and Lowe’s Home Improvement, according to the indictment in the case.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office said the stolen merchandise was shipped to Gilowski, who sold it on various e-commerce sites—the indictment mentions Gilowski operating storefronts on Amazon and eBay specifically—generating a total of $11 million-plus in profits.
To do so, he created numerous online seller profiles, as well as multiple bank accounts and companies registered in other people’s names.
Evidence in the case showed Gilowski made more than a million dollars in cash from his operation, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said, including $97,000 that was found in the center console of his truck. One of his co-conspirators testified at trial that Gilowski “treated money like trash.”
Related stories will be right here …
Following a four-day trial in late March, a federal jury found 48-year-old Artur Gilowski, of Barrington, Illinois, guilty of conspiracy to commit interstate transportation of stolen property and conspiracy to commit mail fraud.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Dallas said Gilowski’s co-conspirators stole thousands of items worth about $20 million from stores across the United States.
The thieves traveled across the country in vehicles often registered to fictious persons or tied to nonexistent addresses and used “booster skirts”—garments with concealed pouches— and electronic transmitters designed to interfere with stores’ anti-theft systems.
They stole from Best Buy, Staples, OfficeMax, Office Depot, Walmart, and Lowe’s Home Improvement, according to the indictment in the case.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office said the stolen merchandise was shipped to Gilowski, who sold it on various e-commerce sites—the indictment mentions Gilowski operating storefronts on Amazon and eBay specifically—generating a total of $11 million-plus in profits.
To do so, he created numerous online seller profiles, as well as multiple bank accounts and companies registered in other people’s names.
Evidence in the case showed Gilowski made more than a million dollars in cash from his operation, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said, including $97,000 that was found in the center console of his truck. One of his co-conspirators testified at trial that Gilowski “treated money like trash.”
The indictment in the case involved Gilowski was handed down in September 2019. It lists a total of 26 defendants, five of whom pleaded guilty prior to Gilowski’s trial.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the five who entered pleas were Sandro Kozlowski, Changcheng Li, Kaifeng Hu, Stanislaw Kobylarczyk, and Piotr Greszta. They all pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit interstate transportation of stolen property except for Hu, who pleaded to misprision of a felony (knowing about a felony and not reporting it).
In addition, the husband-and-wife pair of Darius and Danuta Noskiewicz pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit interstate transportation of stolen property but are currently fugitives, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.
Gilowski faces a maximum sentence of 25 years in federal prison. His sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 2.
He was detained immediately after the verdict came in, however, because he has a history of violence and is considered a flight risk, as he has “significant ties” to his native country of Poland, court papers show.
More on Crime
The Latest
Policies & IssuesFeb 20, 2026
Supreme Court Rules Against Most of President Trump’s TariffsIn a 6-3 ruling, the court said the president exceeded his authority when imposing sweeping tariffs under IEEPA.
ColumnistsFeb 20, 2026
Peter Smith: Happiness, Cavemen, and Jewelry SalesSmith encourages salespeople to ask customers questions that elicit the release of oxytocin, the brain’s “feel-good” chemical.
MajorsFeb 20, 2026
Jewelers Vigilance Committee Names Julie Yoakum Board ChairJVC also announced the election of five new board members.
Brought to you by
The MJSA Mentor & Apprenticeship Program: Attracting & Training the Next Generation of Bench JewelersLaunched in 2023, the program will help the passing of knowledge between generations and alleviate the shortage of bench jewelers.
CollectionsFeb 20, 2026
Boucheron’s ‘Faisceaux’ Brooch Heads to V&A MuseumThe brooch, our Piece of the Week, shows the chromatic spectrum through a holographic coating on rock crystal.
Weekly QuizFeb 19, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
IndependentsFeb 19, 2026
Bailey’s Fine Jewelry Co-Founder ‘Mama Ann’ Bailey Dies at 100Raised in an orphanage, Bailey was 18 when she met her husband, Clyde. They opened their North Carolina jewelry store in 1948.
IndependentsFeb 19, 2026
Material Good Opens Third Location Material Good is celebrating its 10th anniversary as it opens its new store in the Back Bay neighborhood of Boston.
Brought to you by
How Jewelers Can Fight Back Against Cell JammersCriminals are using cell jammers to disable alarms, but new technology like JamAlert™ can stop them.
Events & AwardsFeb 19, 2026
The Original Miami Beach Antique Show Returns in MarchThe show will be held March 26-30 at the Miami Beach Convention Center.
AuctionsFeb 18, 2026
Joanna Carson’s Jewels Head to AuctionThe estate of the model, philanthropist, and ex-wife of Johnny Carson has signed statement jewels up for sale at John Moran Auctioneers.
PodcastsFeb 18, 2026
Episode 2: Jewelry Trends & Does the Red Carpet Matter?Are arm bands poised to make a comeback? Has red-carpet jewelry become boring? Find out on the second episode of the “My Next Question” podcast.
MajorsFeb 18, 2026
Select Jewelry Inks Agreement to Distribute Lightweight Gold JewelryIt will lead distribution in North America for Graziella Braccialini's new gold pieces, which it said are 50 percent lighter.
Policies & IssuesFeb 18, 2026
Community for Ethical Jewelry Looks for Executive DirectorThe organization is seeking a new executive director to lead it into its next phase of strategic growth and industry influence.
Events & AwardsFeb 18, 2026
DCA to Host Gemstone Selling Education Session at IJO EventThe nonprofit will present a live, two-hour introductory course on building confidence when selling colored gemstones.
TrendsFeb 17, 2026
A Bit of Jewelry for the Year of the HorseWestern wear continues to trend in the Year of the Fire Horse and along with it, horse and horseshoe motifs in jewelry.
SourcingFeb 17, 2026
Colored Gemstone Experts Talk Tariffs, Trends in TucsonAlthough the market is robust, tariffs and precious metal prices are impacting the industry, Stuart Robertson and Brecken Branstrator said.
GradingFeb 17, 2026
Dr. George Rossman, Former GIA Governor, Dies at 81Rossman, who advised GIA for more than 50 years, is remembered for his passion and dedication to the field of gemology.
IndependentsFeb 13, 2026
97-Year-Old New Mexico Jewelry Store To CloseButterfield Jewelers in Albuquerque, New Mexico, is preparing to close as members of the Butterfield family head into retirement.
CollectionsFeb 13, 2026
A ‘Rosebud’ Necklace for Valentine’s DayPaul Morelli’s “Rosebud” necklace, our Piece of the Week, uses 18-karat rose, green, and white gold to turn the symbol of love into jewelry.
MajorsFeb 13, 2026
JFC Announces New BeneficiariesThe nonprofit has welcomed four new grantees for 2026.
MajorsFeb 12, 2026
These 8 Saks Fifth Avenue Stores Are ClosingParent company Saks Global is also closing nearly all Saks Off 5th locations, a Neiman Marcus store, and 14 personal styling suites.
CollectionsFeb 12, 2026
British Museum Raises $5M to Keep Jewel Linked to Henry VIII, Katherine of AragonIt is believed the 24-karat heart-shaped enameled pendant was made for an event marking the betrothal of Princess Mary in 1518.
SourcingFeb 12, 2026
‘Cotton Candy’ Necklace, 35-Carat Kunzite Win 2025 ‘Buyer’s Choice’ AwardsThe AGTA Spectrum and Cutting Edge “Buyer’s Choice” award winners were announced at the Spectrum Awards Gala last week.
Events & AwardsFeb 12, 2026
Kering Opens Entries for 2026 Sustainability-Focused AwardThe “Kering Generation Award x Jewelry” returns for its second year with “Second Chance, First Choice” as its theme.
TrendsFeb 11, 2026
Halle Berry’s Retro Engagement Ring Is a Sapphire-Set StunnerSourced by For Future Reference Vintage, the yellow gold ring has a round center stone surrounded by step-cut sapphires.
MajorsFeb 11, 2026
Francesca’s Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy AgainThe clothing and accessories chain announced last month it would be closing all of its stores.
CollectionsFeb 11, 2026
Zales Turns Sweethearts Into Jewelry for Valentine’s Day CollectionThe “Zales x Sweethearts” collection features three mystery heart charms engraved with classic sayings seen on the Valentine’s Day candies.
