CrimeAug 30, 2023
Baltimore Man Faces 26 Years for Single-Day Robbery SpreeCrimeSep 01, 2023
16 Suspects Charged in String of East Coast Robberies
The alleged crime ring was said to be targeting jewelry stores owned by Asian Americans.
A total of 16 alleged members of a violent crime ring, said to be responsible for a string of jewelry store robberies along the East Coast, have been arrested, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office of the District of Columbia.
Washington—A total of 16 alleged members of a violent crime ring, said to be responsible for a string of jewelry store robberies along the East Coast, have been arrested.
The crimes and charges were detailed in an indictment unsealed Wednesday, according to a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office of the District of Columbia.
Eight of the suspects were arrested Wednesday while the others were previously arrested.
According to the indictment, the men conspired between January 7, 2022 and January 27, 2023 in Washington D.C. to commit robberies in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Florida.
The robberies specifically targeted jewelry stores owned by Asian Americans, according to the Attorney’s Office.
The men would don dark clothing and enter the stores armed. One or more defendants used various vehicles, including stolen vehicles, to then flee the scene.
The men are accused of robbing the following stores.
January 7, 2022: Yasini Jewelers in East Falls Church, Virginia;
June 10, 2022: Virani Jewelers in Iselin, New Jersey;
September 20, 2022: Sonia Jewelers & Boutique, in Springfield, Virginia;
October 25, 2022: Paradise Jewelry Store, in Paterson, New Jersey;
November 10, 2022: Baral Jewelers & Gifts, in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania;
November 27, 2022: Sara Emporium Jewelry & Boutique, in Springfield, Virginia;
December 6, 2022: Kishek Jewelers, in Jacksonville, Florida;
December 22, 2022: Chintamanis Inc., in Franklin Park, New Jersey; and;
January 27, 2023: Princess Diamonds, in Falls Church, Virginia.
The group is accused of committing multiple armed carjackings, armed robberies, money laundering, and firearms offenses.
Charges include conspiracy to interfere with interstate commerce, also known as Hobbs Act robbery, interference with interstate commerce by robbery, using a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, conspiracy to commit carjacking, and conspiracy to engage in monetary transaction in property derived from specified unlawful activity.
Related stories will be right here …
The crimes and charges were detailed in an indictment unsealed Wednesday, according to a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office of the District of Columbia.
Eight of the suspects were arrested Wednesday while the others were previously arrested.
According to the indictment, the men conspired between January 7, 2022 and January 27, 2023 in Washington D.C. to commit robberies in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Florida.
The robberies specifically targeted jewelry stores owned by Asian Americans, according to the Attorney’s Office.
The men would don dark clothing and enter the stores armed. One or more defendants used various vehicles, including stolen vehicles, to then flee the scene.
The men are accused of robbing the following stores.
January 7, 2022: Yasini Jewelers in East Falls Church, Virginia;
June 10, 2022: Virani Jewelers in Iselin, New Jersey;
September 20, 2022: Sonia Jewelers & Boutique, in Springfield, Virginia;
October 25, 2022: Paradise Jewelry Store, in Paterson, New Jersey;
November 10, 2022: Baral Jewelers & Gifts, in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania;
November 27, 2022: Sara Emporium Jewelry & Boutique, in Springfield, Virginia;
December 6, 2022: Kishek Jewelers, in Jacksonville, Florida;
December 22, 2022: Chintamanis Inc., in Franklin Park, New Jersey; and;
January 27, 2023: Princess Diamonds, in Falls Church, Virginia.
The group is accused of committing multiple armed carjackings, armed robberies, money laundering, and firearms offenses.
Charges include conspiracy to interfere with interstate commerce, also known as Hobbs Act robbery, interference with interstate commerce by robbery, using a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, conspiracy to commit carjacking, and conspiracy to engage in monetary transaction in property derived from specified unlawful activity.
"This indictment alleges a conspiracy to engage in a violent armed robbery spree involving commercial establishments throughout the Eastern Seaboard,” said U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves.
“One defendant is also charged with conspiracy to commit carjacking as part of the spree, and others are charged with laundering the proceeds from the robberies. With an increasing number of robbery schemes that cross state lines, collaborative operations like this one are critical to holding accountable those who threaten the safety of our communities."
Assistant Director in Charge David Sundberg added, “The defendants targeted small businesses along the East Coast, stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars' worth of jewelry from hardworking families.”
FBI-Newark Special Agent in Charge James Dennehy said, “We allege these suspects took part in take-over style armed robberies meant to terrify and overwhelm store owners and employees.”
“Many of the victim businesses are family-owned-and-operated and lost large sums of inventory. The alleged violent and reckless actions of the subjects are astounding; they gave no thought to the people who could have been seriously injured or even killed.”
“We have a message for criminals out there right now who believe these smash-and-grab robberies work in their favor because they mistakenly believe no one will hold them accountable. That’s not the case here – and it won’t be the case in the future. FBI Newark and our law enforcement partners will make sure if we can charge something federally, we will make that happen.”
The superseding indictment also contains a notice of forfeiture and is seeking the proceeds of the illegal activities.
The maximum sentences for the various charges range from 20 years to life in prison.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sitara Witanachchi and Andy Wang of the Violence Reduction and Trafficking Offenses Section in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia.
More on Crime
The Latest
SurveysOct 16, 2026
How Inflation, Gas Prices Will Affect Holiday Sales The NRF is expecting holiday sales to increase this year, but consumers and retailers alike are facing Grinch-like headwinds.
CollectionsOct 16, 2026
Christina Puchi’s Earrings Hold the UniverseOur Piece of the Week gathers the planets, represented by a variety of colored gemstones, in a pair of 14-karat yellow gold earrings.
IndependentsOct 16, 2026
Reeds Jewelers Expands, Relocates FlagshipThe New York-based jeweler is moving its Amherst flagship store to a larger location in nearby Snyder.
Brought to you by
Meet Gemology’s Next Generation Microscope: GIA® Gemolite® NXT Professional EditionExperience gemstones with greater precision and comfort than ever before.
MajorsOct 16, 2026
Katy Chen Appointed Executive Vice President of Graff USA Chen, who worked at Cartier and Tiffany & Co., will lead retail sales and operations for the luxury jeweler’s 11 U.S. stores.
Weekly QuizOct 15, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
IndependentsOct 15, 2026
Retailer Hall of Fame 2026: Amy and Elise Greenberg For 40 years, sisters Amy and Elise Greenberg have helmed their 126-year-old family business, leading with appreciation and integrity.
ColumnistsOct 15, 2026
Peter Smith: What Is the Culture REP?It’s a term Smith coined and felt compelled to share following a bad experience with an aborted flight and an unfeeling flight attendant.
Brought to you by
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSubmit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.
WatchesOct 15, 2026
Stephanie Gottlieb’s New Movado Watches Are Made for Your Wrist StackMovado teamed up with the New York-based fine jewelry designer on a new collection of Movado Museum Velura watches.
SourcingOct 15, 2026
Signet Jewelers, Richemont May Join Bidder for De Beers, Report SaysThe two companies are reportedly in talks to join the Global Diamond Consortium, led by former De Beers CEO Gareth Penny, as per Bloomberg.
CollectionsOct 15, 2026
Wolf x Marla Aaron's New Jewelry Box Is for Some (Not All) of Your ThingsThe “Some of the Things” box follows the two larger “Everything” box designs with the look and function of antique sewing and toolboxes.
IndependentsOct 14, 2026
Retailer Hall of Fame 2026: Coleman and Mitchell ClarkFourth-generation jewelers Coleman and Mitchell Clark exemplify the best qualities of their predecessors: humility, modesty, and confidence.
SourcingOct 14, 2026
Manuel Marcial de Gomar, ‘The Emerald Whisperer,’ Dies at 90The gem hunter, whose 70-year career was defined by adventure and exploration, is remembered for his steadfast faith and sense of wonder.
FinancialsOct 14, 2026
LVMH’s Jewelry Brands Turn in ‘Very Good’ Performance in Q3 Tiffany & Co. continued its full-scale store renovation project while Bulgari’s high jewelry collection generated “record-breaking revenue.”
Events & AwardsOct 14, 2026
Chicago Responsible Jewelry Conference Releases 2026 ProgramThis year’s sessions feature leading voices from human rights, legal, and conservation organizations.
MajorsOct 13, 2026
David Webb Owner Purchases Lugano JewelryThe high-end jewelry retailer was sold to private investment firm Middle West Partners and a group of longtime clients.
Lab-GrownOct 13, 2026
Stephanie Gottlieb Takes Lab-Grown Diamond Collection WholesaleThe jewelry designer has partnered with Sofer Jewelry to distribute her 85-piece lab-grown diamond collection.
IndependentsOct 13, 2026
Retailer Hall of Fame 2026: Sean DunnDunn, this year’s Single-Store Independent inductee, is passionate about innovation and telling the story of natural diamonds.
AuctionsOct 13, 2026
Christie's Geneva To Auction 'Bulgari Pink' DiamondThe 24-carat fancy intense pink diamond ring could fetch up to $18 million at the November sale.
IndependentsOct 13, 2026
Greenwich St. Jewelers’ New Candle Smells Like HomeThe “Island Jewel” candle honors New York City and Puerto Rico and raises money for the island’s water relief efforts.
TechnologyOct 13, 2026
GemFind Is a New JA Member Benefit Partner The partnership will give JA members access to preferred pricing, exclusive benefits, technology solutions, education, and resources.
SurveysOct 09, 2026
These Will Be the 10 Busiest Days for In-Store Shopping This Holiday SeasonStores should expect to see the most customers on Nov. 27, and Christmas week is expected to be hectic too, as Dec. 25 falls on a Friday.
CollectionsOct 09, 2026
Elisa Solomon Collabs With Serendipity 3 on ‘Frozen Hot Chocolate’ CharmThe charm, our Piece of the Week, features brown diamond frozen hot chocolate topped with white diamond whipped cream and a ruby straw.
AuctionsOct 09, 2026
8-Carat Blue Diamond Goes Unsold at UK Jewelry Auction The top lot of Elmwood’s recent fine jewelry sale in London was a 1.84-carat, D color Tiffany & Co. solitaire diamond ring.
WatchesOct 09, 2026
Movado to Sell Majority Stake in Ebel for $66.5MThe watch company agreed to sell a 95 percent interest to a group comprised of F.P. Journe, Chanel, and Swiss watch exec Pierre Jacques.
Policies & IssuesOct 08, 2026
Third Wave of IEEPA Tariff Refunds Begins This round of tariff refunds is for importers that have sued over IEEPA tariffs in the Court of International Trade and won.
CollectionsOct 08, 2026
Brent Neale’s New Collection Goes ‘Back to Basics’It revisits the brand’s most requested silhouettes, from "Pillow"-set necklaces and bracelets to "Signature"-set rings and earrings.
