CrimeSep 12, 2023
5 in NYC Diamond District Charged in Illegal Money Transfer SchemeCrimeSep 19, 2023
Man Sentenced to 6 Years in Prison Following Bear Spray Robbery
The suspect used bear spray to subdue employees and bystanders then stole $800,000 worth of jewelry.
Pablo Armando Valenzuela of the Bronx, New York, seen here on surveillance video, was sentenced to 70 months in prison in connection to the armed robbery of a jewelry store.
New York—One of the men who committed an armed robbery of a jewelry store in the Bronx, New York, in August 2022 using a firearm, bear spray, and hammers, has been sentenced.
Pablo Armando Valenzuela, 33, of the Bronx, New York, was sentenced to 70 months in prison, nearly six years, by U.S. District Judge Victor Marrero, according to a press release from U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of New York.
Valenzuela previously pleaded guilty to one count of Hobbs Act robbery.
On the evening of August 10, 2022, Valenzuela, along with at least five other suspects, robbed a jewelry store on East Fordham Road wearing ski masks.
Valenzuela entered first and sprayed a can of bear spray into the employees’ eyes, temporarily blinding them.
Customers, including children, were present in the store at the time, said the U.S. Attorney's Office.
The five other masked robbers then entered, using hammers to break into the glass display cases, taking $800,000 in merchandise, according to the New York Police Department.
The men fled in different directions, on foot, in cars, and on the backs of mopeds driven by co-conspirators who acted as lookouts and getaway drivers.
As the men fled, Valenzuela sprayed the bear spray at bystanders, many of whom were taken to the hospital.
Related stories will be right here …
Pablo Armando Valenzuela, 33, of the Bronx, New York, was sentenced to 70 months in prison, nearly six years, by U.S. District Judge Victor Marrero, according to a press release from U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of New York.
Valenzuela previously pleaded guilty to one count of Hobbs Act robbery.
On the evening of August 10, 2022, Valenzuela, along with at least five other suspects, robbed a jewelry store on East Fordham Road wearing ski masks.
Valenzuela entered first and sprayed a can of bear spray into the employees’ eyes, temporarily blinding them.
Customers, including children, were present in the store at the time, said the U.S. Attorney's Office.
The five other masked robbers then entered, using hammers to break into the glass display cases, taking $800,000 in merchandise, according to the New York Police Department.
The men fled in different directions, on foot, in cars, and on the backs of mopeds driven by co-conspirators who acted as lookouts and getaway drivers.
As the men fled, Valenzuela sprayed the bear spray at bystanders, many of whom were taken to the hospital.
“The defendant committed a violent armed robbery of a Bronx jewelry store and injured innocent employees and bystanders by spraying a can of extremely hazardous bear spray directly into their faces,” said U.S. Attorney Damian Williams.
“Violent criminals who commit firearms offenses and terrorize hardworking New Yorkers will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.”
In addition to his prison term, Valenzuela was sentenced to three years of supervised release.
His co-defendant, Aaron Miller, pleaded guilty to one count of Hobbs Act robbery and will be sentenced on Dec. 1.
The other suspects have not been apprehended.
The case is being handled by the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s General Crimes Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorney Amanda C. Weingarten is in charge of the prosecution.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Crime
The Latest
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.
Brought to you by
Meet Gemology’s Next Generation Microscope: GIA® Gemolite® NXT Professional EditionExperience gemstones with greater precision and comfort than ever before.
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.
Weekly QuizOct 08, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
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.
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.
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.
SourcingOct 08, 2026
Ethical Gem Fair Heads Back to BrooklynThe trade-only event includes buying opportunities as well as educational sessions on artisanal mining, the new Paraíba source, and more.
Events & AwardsOct 08, 2026
Pattons Fine Jewelry Sweeps Local Design ContestAra Chanakian, a jeweler at Pattons, took home top honors in every category at Jewelers of Louisiana’s annual jewelry design competition.
AuctionsOct 08, 2026
Reba McEntire’s Jewelry, Watches Head to Julien’s AuctionsThe live charity benefit sale in Nashville will also feature gowns, boots, and other memorabilia from the country music legend.
Supplier BulletinOct 08, 2026
Overnight Mountings’ Bridal Builder Helps Jewelers Turn Custom Design into a Hands-On Selling ExperienceSponsored by Overnight Mountings
Policies & IssuesOct 07, 2026
The Plumb Club Amplifies Its Voice as Geopolitical Pressures MountThe supplier organization recently joined JA and JVC to have more input on political issues affecting the jewelry industry.
CollectionsOct 07, 2026
Blue Nile, Royal Asscher Collection Highlights Natural Diamond BeautyBlue Nile, a Signet Jewelers-owned brand, is now Royal Asscher’s exclusive licensed retailer in North America.
CollectionsOct 07, 2026
4 Standout Pieces in Audemars Piguet’s First High Jewelry Collection “Royal Oak” pays homage to the brand’s most popular watch model using 18-karat gold as well as diamonds, emeralds, and sapphires.
MajorsOct 07, 2026
Empire Safe & Vault Promotes Juan Morales to CEOAs part of the transition, Joseph Nicosia has stepped into the role of COO.
SourcingOct 07, 2026
AGTA Extends Deadline for 2026 Spectrum Awards EntriesParticipants now have until Oct. 14 to complete their submissions.
ColumnistsOct 06, 2026
Sherry Smith: Is the Consumer Really Trading Up?Ahead of the holidays, Smith urges jewelers to take a hard look at who’s buying jewelry, what they’re purchasing, and who’s stopped buying.
SourcingOct 06, 2026
DDG Taps Influencers for ‘My Diamond Does Good’ CampaignIn the new consumer-facing campaign, four fashion and lifestyle creators share the stories behind their natural diamond pieces.
MajorsOct 06, 2026
Frederick Goldman Names COO, CMOFGI President John Orrico is also leaving the company after more than 13 years.
Events & AwardsOct 06, 2026
JIS Fall Returns to MiamiThe 2026 edition will feature presentations on alternative materials and design trends, as well as pop-up activations on the show floor.
