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.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Crime
The Latest
CollectionsJul 17, 2026
HOWL Taps Shailene Woodley for ‘Home Sweet Home’ CampaignWoodley is seen in the campaign wearing our Piece of the Week, the “Frida” collar featuring 13 pieces of hand-carved Venetian glass.
SourcingJul 17, 2026
U.K. Woman Pays £5 for £15K Diamond Ring at Car Boot SaleA WeBuyVintage jewelry expert uncovered how much the flea market find was actually worth.
SourcingJul 17, 2026
Diamond Dealer Jeff Pancis Pens MemoirThe founder of natural colored diamond wholesaler Pancis Gems shares stories from his five decades in the industry.
Brought to you by
Wedding Band Trends 2026: Personalization Takes Center StageColored gemstones, artisan finishes, mixed metals, and meaningful details are shaping demand in bridal jewelry.
Events & AwardsJul 17, 2026
Gem Awards Opens 2027 Nomination PeriodSubmissions for the milestone 25th annual Gem Awards will be accepted across three categories from now through July 31.
Weekly QuizJul 17, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
EditorsJul 16, 2026
Q&A: Guzema’s Co-Owners On Its US Expansion, 10-Year AnniversaryValeriya Guzema and Mariana Lenha look back on the last decade and discuss the Ukrainian brand’s first U.S. store.
SourcingJul 16, 2026
Ekati to Close, Leaving Canada With One Diamond Mine The diamond mine, which opened nearly 30 years ago in Canada’s Northwest Territories, is expected to shut down by mid-August.
Brought to you by
Building the Future of Jewelry Retail: DCA Expands Education, Leadership Development, and Workforce SolutionsDCA is preparing the next generation of professionals by supporting workforce development, leadership growth, and career advancement.
FinancialsJul 16, 2026
Richemont’s Jewelry Sales Soar for the Seventh Quarter in a RowJewelry sales for the company, which owns Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Vhernier, and Buccellati, rose 21 percent in the first quarter.
Events & AwardsJul 16, 2026
MJSA Mentor & Apprenticeship Program Certifies First Advanced Apprentice GraduateThe graduate, Grace Barden, credited the program with helping her secure a job as a bench jeweler.
Events & AwardsJul 16, 2026
Jewelers of Louisiana to Host 80th ConventionThe event, scheduled for next month in New Orleans, will include dinner, a custom jewelry design contest, and education sessions.
SourcingJul 15, 2026
1,305-Carat Diamond Recovered from Mine in BotswanaThe yet-to-be named stone is the 10th diamond weighing more than 1,000 carats to come out of Lucara’s Karowe mine.
IndependentsJul 15, 2026
New Jersey Jeweler Barry Berman Dies at 81The founder of Fords Jewelers, Berman is remembered for his love of connecting with his community.
FinancialsJul 15, 2026
Watches of Switzerland’s US Sales Jump 18%, Declines to Comment on Sale Report The watch and jewelry retailer had a strong fiscal year despite what its CEO described as a “complex operating backdrop.”
Events & AwardsJul 15, 2026
Hamptons Jewelry Show to Return in JulyThe open-to-the-public luxury jewelry and timepiece show, in its second year, is slated for July 23-26.
CollectionsJul 15, 2026
Pomellato’s New High Jewelry Is LiberatingBold color, expressive gem-setting, and sculptural form define the three chapters that make up “Stile Libero.”
IndependentsJul 14, 2026
Foundrae Opens First Standalone Store Outside USThe New York-based jewelry brand has expanded overseas, opening a store in London’s Mayfair district.
ColumnistsJul 14, 2026
Sherry Smith: What Today’s Jewelry Consumer Is Telling Us Rising revenue does not automatically mean a healthy business, particularly in the current economic landscape, Smith writes.
TrendsJul 14, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: Shoulder Dusters These long, fluid drop earrings are sure to catch the eye.
Events & AwardsJul 14, 2026
Conference on Mining, Sustainability Kicks Off in NYCInitiatives in Art and Culture is hosting its 16th annual Gold and Diamond Conference, with the theme of “Resilience.”
Lab-GrownJul 13, 2026
Stephanie Gottlieb Changes Her Mind on Lab-Grown DiamondsThe designer, who once said she’d never sell lab-grown diamonds, debuted two capsule collections designed to be fun and easy to wear.
SourcingJul 13, 2026
De Beers Announces Potential Layoffs, 2-Year Production Pause at VenetiaThe diamond miner and marketer is undergoing another round of cost-cutting measures ahead of its sale by Anglo American.
Events & AwardsJul 13, 2026
Registration Opens for JIS Fall 2026 ShowThe annual trade-only buying event is slated for Oct. 16-19 in Miami Beach, Florida.
Events & AwardsJul 13, 2026
AGTA Accepting Entries for Spectrum 2026AGTA also has announced the lineup of judges for the colored gemstone cutting and jewelry design contest’s various categories.
TechnologyJul 10, 2026
There’s a New Blind Box for Luxury Watches Collectibles platform Arena Club’s new Time Boxes could contain a Rolex or Patek Philippe watch.
TrendsJul 10, 2026
Jade Trau Creates a Constellation of DiamondsThe “Constellation Plié” collar, our Piece of the Week, features diamonds arranged in a constellation of shining stars.
SourcingJul 10, 2026
CFO of De Beers’ Consumer-Facing Division Leaves Company Shaun Wills joined the company in 2024 and was chief financial officer of the De Beers Brands and Consumer Markets division.
