Five Men Arrested in Connection to NYC Jewelry Store Robberies
The alleged robbers stole $2 million worth of jewelry, including a diamond necklace weighing 76 carats.

The U.S. Attorney's Office in the Southern District of New York named the defendants in a press release Tuesday.
The men are Vincent Cerchio, 69, of Howard Beach, New York; Frank DiPietro, 65, of Red Bank, New Jersey; Vincent Spagnuolo, 65, of Monmouth Beach, New Jersey; Michael Sellick, 67, of Franklin Square, New York; and Samuel Sorce of Florham Park, New Jersey.
Defendants Cerchio, DiPietro, Spagnuolo, and Sellick are charged with the Jan. 3 robbery of a store on Madison Avenue, while Sorce is the sole defendant charged in connection with the May 20 robbery of a jewelry store on Elizabeth Street.
The store in Midtown was Bayco Jewels on Madison Avenue near East 61st Street, according to an NBC report, while the downtown store was not named.
On the morning of Jan. 3, the four men charged with the Midtown robbery traveled to the store via multiple vehicles.
At around 10:20 a.m., when a store employee was moving jewels into the front window display, DiPietro and Sellick entered the store dressed as construction workers, said authorities.
The store only lets customers in by appointment, as per court documents, but would routinely remove jewelry from the safe around that time to bring to the window display.
DiPietro allegedly pointed a gun at the employee and said, “Give it to me,” while Sellick told the employee to, “turn around and get in the closet.”
The two men allegedly stole three pieces of diamond jewelry, including a 73-carat diamond necklace, a 6-carat ring, and a pair of earrings weighing 17 carats, before all four defendants fled.

Surveillance footage shows all four men by the store the day before, likely “casing” the place, said authorities.
The second robbery took place on the morning of May 20. Similar to the first robbery, employees had just opened for business when DiPietro and Sellick allegedly entered wearing masks and construction vests.
Sellick allegedly pointed a gun at the store’s employees and instructed them to get down on the ground while DiPietro took jewelry.
The two men fled and got into a getaway car driven by Sorce, also dressed as a construction worker, said authorities, then switched to a second getaway car driven by Spagnuolo.
Sorce is the only suspect charged in the May 20 crime.
The defendants are each charged with one count of Hobbs Act robbery and one count of conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery, each of which carry a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.
They are also charged with one count of brandishing a firearm during and in connection with a crime of violence, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of seven years in prison, which would be in addition to any sentence imposed for Hobbs Act robbery.
The men are alleged to be linked to the Lucchese and Gambino crime families, as per the NBC report. DiPietro has previously served 19 years in federal prison in connection with the murder of a witness who testified against the Lucchese family, detailed in a report from a local Staten Island publication.
The defendants were taken to Manhattan federal court Tuesday and held without bail, said NBC.
FBI Assistant Director in Charge Michael J. Driscoll said, “The defendants allegedly brazenly robbed Manhattan jewelry stores of approximately $2 million worth of merchandise at gunpoint. Violent robberies, especially those with firearms, will not be tolerated by the FBI and our partners in law enforcement.
“The arrests today should serve as a warning to anyone willing to engage in armed robberies – you will face the consequences.”
NYPD Commissioner Keechant L. Sewell said, “The swift arrests in this case reaffirm the NYPD’s steadfast commitment, with its law enforcement partners, to hold everyone accused of violent acts accountable. The charges these defendants face reflect a callous disregard for life, and they will now be held accountable.”
The case is being handled by the Office’s General Crimes Unit with Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alexandra S. Messiter and Justin Horton in charge of the prosecution.
The Latest

Located on Rodeo Drive, the store’s design was inspired by Hollywood and Los Angeles culture.

The new location continues the brand’s celebration of its 25th anniversary.

The online watch marketplace’s “Time Is Our Thing” campaign highlights the importance of time.

The Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.

She will oversee strategic planning, fundraising, industry partnerships, and the launch of the Gem Legacy Campus in Tanzania.


The jewelry company has closed its three California brick-and-mortar stores, as well as its online shop, for now.

The company is providing the opportunity for an FIT student to work alongside master diamond cutter Willie Lopez in its workshop.

The countdown is on for the JCK Las Vegas Show and JA is pulling out all the stops.

He is remembered for his successful entrepreneurship, generosity, and dedication to his family.

The jewelry store chain has reportedly been struggling with costs related to tariffs as well as tough retail competition.

Welcome warm summer days with red hot rubies perfectly chosen as July’s birthstone.

Co-founders Afzal Imram and Lin Ruiyin brought their son’s story of a cosmic egg, toadstool, and railroad to life in their new collection.

The best time to prepare for the holiday season is right now, according to columnist Emmanuel Raheb.

This year’s winner is Morgan Keefe, who is currently studying at GIA to be a gemologist.

“The Jewelry Book” comes out this September.

The company is focused on modernizing the custom jewelry buying experience with e-commerce tools like product visualization and 3D styling.

Following its recent acquisition, the storied brand has updated its leadership team and regional managers.

AGS also named the recipient of its “Women in Leadership” scholarship.

The 20-karat yellow gold and diamond wrap ring is modeled after the Monstera plants in the garden of the brand’s Miami villa.

Rocksbox President Allison Vigil shared the retailer’s expansion plans, and her thoughts on opening stores in malls.

The creator of the WJA Chicago chapter is remembered as a champion for women in the jewelry industry and a loving grandmother.

The decline was consistent across age groups and almost all income groups, with tariffs and inflation still top of mind.

The “Playlist: Electric Dreams” collection brings lyrics from the musician’s song, “Little Wing,” to life through fine jewelry.

The event is set for May 16-19 in Detroit, Michigan.

The Vault’s Katherine Jetter is accusing the retailer of using info she shared for a potential partnership to move into Nantucket.

The designer brought her children’s book, “The Big Splash Circus,” to life through a collection of playful fine jewelry characters.

The trade association has chosen the recipients of the funding initiative it formed to foster the growth and sustainability of the industry.