CrimeApr 12, 2023
Customs Seizes $4.4M Worth of Counterfeit JewelryCrimeApr 20, 2023
Ex-UFC Fighter Charged in New Jersey Jewelry Theft
Karl Roberson is accused of stealing more than $200,000 worth of jewelry and watches from a childhood friend.
Mixed martial artist Karl Roberson (left) was arrested and charged last month in connection with the home burglary of friend Ryan Leonard (right). (Image courtesy of Instagram.com/@njf_ceo)
Howell, N.J.—Ex-UFC fighter Karl Roberson has been charged with a series of crimes related to a burglary at the home of childhood friend Ryan Leonard in Howell, New Jersey.
According to the Howell Township (N.J.) Police Department, 32-year-old Roberson burglarized the home on West Farms Road with co-conspirator Dathan Thompson, also 32, on Dec. 26, 2022.
Roberson and Thompson are accused of stealing more than $200,000 in “exotic jewelry and valuables.”
In an interview with Fox News, the victim, Leonard, specified that the burglars made off with his $80,000 Rolex Presidential watch, $60,000 worth of Cuban chains, and a $30,000 bracelet, among other items.
Leonard said he’s known Roberson since he was 18 and the fighter was 14, both having grown up in nearby Neptune, New Jersey.
Leonard is a U.S. Army veteran who served in Iraq from 2009 to 2010, and later found success with his product development, sourcing, and supply chain management business NJF Worldwide.
Roberson experienced his own come-up story as a kickboxer-turned-mixed martial artist who earned a coveted spot in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), mixed martial arts’ most celebrated league, in 2017.
His success, however, had recently taken a turn.
Related stories will be right here …
According to the Howell Township (N.J.) Police Department, 32-year-old Roberson burglarized the home on West Farms Road with co-conspirator Dathan Thompson, also 32, on Dec. 26, 2022.
Roberson and Thompson are accused of stealing more than $200,000 in “exotic jewelry and valuables.”
In an interview with Fox News, the victim, Leonard, specified that the burglars made off with his $80,000 Rolex Presidential watch, $60,000 worth of Cuban chains, and a $30,000 bracelet, among other items.
Leonard said he’s known Roberson since he was 18 and the fighter was 14, both having grown up in nearby Neptune, New Jersey.
Leonard is a U.S. Army veteran who served in Iraq from 2009 to 2010, and later found success with his product development, sourcing, and supply chain management business NJF Worldwide.
Roberson experienced his own come-up story as a kickboxer-turned-mixed martial artist who earned a coveted spot in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), mixed martial arts’ most celebrated league, in 2017.
His success, however, had recently taken a turn.
After a somewhat promising start in the UFC, COVID reschedules, health issues, and a couple of missed weigh-ins seemed to turn the tide for the fighter starting in 2020.
In July 2022, after four consecutive losses, the UFC released Roberson.
Howell Township detectives said they used, “advanced training in technical applications,” as well as cell phone data analysis to investigate the home burglary.
Leonard told Fox News he recognized the pink shoes one of the suspects wore in home surveillance video of the burglary as those of Thompson. He said Thompson had traveled the world with Roberson as his “right-hand man.”
Despite initially not believing police when they indicated Roberson could be involved, Leonard said he eventually realized the body language of the burglar—who, along with the other suspect, was wearing a hoodie, face mask, and gloves—matched that of his friend.
“I couldn’t unsee it as much as I wanted to,” Leonard told Fox News. He believes Roberson was able to case the house via before and after images he had sent him while it was being built.
On March 27, Roberson was arrested during a motor vehicle stop in Neptune.
Police said he was driving a car associated with the burglary. While searching the vehicle, officers found a “defaced 9 mm handgun with an extended magazine,” suspected packages of crack cocaine, and other items associated with the burglary.
Roberson has been charged with burglary, theft, criminal mischief, possession of a controlled dangerous substance, and several weapons charges.
Thompson, who was arrested the same day as Roberson without incident at his home, is facing burglary, theft, and criminal mischief charges.
The Latest
FinancialsMay 30, 2025
Movado’s Q1 Sales Slip Amid ‘Challenging’ Retail Environment The company plans to raise the prices of select watches to offset the impact of tariffs.
Policies & IssuesMay 30, 2025
Tariffs & Designers: Navigating Pricing in an Unstable EnvironmentBetween tariffs and the sky-high cost of gold, designers enter this year’s Las Vegas shows with a lot of questions and few answers.
CollectionsMay 30, 2025
Piece of the Week: Renato Cipullo’s ‘Hematite Blaze’ NecklaceDesigned by founder Renato and his daughter Serena Cipullo, it showcases a flame motif representing unity and the power of gathering.
Brought to you by
Clienteling Isn’t a Buzzword. It’s an Essential Business Model.More shoppers are walking out without buying. Here’s how smart jewelers can bring them back—and the tool they need to do it right.
Policies & IssuesMay 30, 2025
Trade Court Declares Trump’s Tariffs InvalidHowever, the tariffs remain in effect in the short term, as an appeals court has stayed the U.S. Court of International Trade’s decision.
Weekly QuizMay 30, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CollectionsMay 29, 2025
Britney Spears Files Trademark for New Jewelry LineThe pop icon is one step closer to launching her “B Tiny” jewelry collection, a collection she first began posting about last fall.
Supplier BulletinMay 29, 2025
Inoveo Platinum Grain, Exclusively Distributed by StullerSponsored by Stuller
Brought to you by
Las Vegas Antique Jewelry & Watch Show: Showcasing the Most Collectible Merchandise from Across the GlobeGain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.
SourcingMay 29, 2025
Grizzly Auctions 6,620-Carat EmeraldIt was featured in the miner’s latest sale, which brought in $24.8 million.
TechnologyMay 29, 2025
GemFind Launches AI Product Description SoftwareGemText AI uses artificial intelligence to generate tailored product titles, descriptions, and tags with jewelry-specific language.
MajorsMay 28, 2025
Graff Unveils New Las Vegas FlagshipThe 3,300-square foot location is the jeweler's largest store in North America.
CollectionsMay 28, 2025
NY Liberty’s 2024 Championship Rings Honor Historic WinThe WNBA team received rings imbued with meaning, from leaf motifs and its Liberty torch to the number of diamonds used.
MajorsMay 28, 2025
Andrew Rickard Named JBT PresidentA longtime executive at RDI Diamonds, Rickard has served on the JBT board for the past five years.
MajorsMay 27, 2025
MJSA to Become Part of Jewelers of America The two organizations have signed an affiliation agreement that’s expected to be finalized in the coming weeks.
AuctionsMay 27, 2025
Al Capone’s Patek Philippe Pocket Watch Back Up for AuctionThe platinum and diamond watch is part of Sotheby’s upcoming Important Watches sale.
AuctionsMay 27, 2025
182-Carat Paraíba-Type Tourmaline Sells for $487K Recovered in Mozambique, “The Kat Florence Lumina” was part of Bonhams’ Hong Kong jewelry auction held last week.
TrendsMay 27, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Candy-Colored GemstonesGet a taste of the delicious candy-like gemstones in this Amanda’s Style File.
CollectionsMay 23, 2025
Piece of the Week: Bliss Lau’s ‘Bright’ RingFrom Lau’s “Love of a Kind” series, the engagement ring was inspired by the moon and holds a different meaning depending on how it is worn.
GradingMay 23, 2025
GIA Updates Pearl Classification SystemThe lab has adjusted the scale it uses for nacre grading.
Supplier BulletinMay 22, 2025
How to Put Natural Diamonds Back in the SpotlightSponsored by GCAL by Sarine
CrimeMay 22, 2025
NY Jeweler Sentenced in Shoving Death of Colleague at IJO ShowDavid Walton will serve three years’ probation after an incident in a hotel bar led to the death of West Virginia jeweler David Ettinger.
FinancialsMay 22, 2025
Watches of Switzerland’s Full-Year U.S. Sales Climb 14% The retailer also provided an update on how the tariffs situation in the U.S. is affecting its business.
IndependentsMay 22, 2025
Adeler Jewelers Celebrates 50 YearsThe family-owned jeweler in Great Falls, Virginia, will be celebrating its golden jubilee with a year’s worth of events.
Events & AwardsMay 22, 2025
Jose Hess Design Awards Announce JudgesThe nonprofit elected five judges who will decide the winners of its design competition.
MajorsMay 22, 2025
MJSA Releases 2025-2026 Buyer’s GuideThis year’s edition includes articles on the favorite tools of notable designers, evaluating when to outsource production, and more.
CollectionsMay 21, 2025
Bulgari Highlights Its Colorful Past in Phenomenal ‘Polychroma’ CollectionThe jeweler’s high jewelry collection features extraordinary gemstones, like a 241.06-carat emerald and the world’s fourth-largest spinel.
ColumnistsMay 21, 2025
Edahn’s Take: Analyzing the 2025 ‘$100 Million Supersellers’ List In a special column for the State of the Majors, Edahn Golan breaks down what the top-performing fine jewelry sellers are doing right.
