CrimeMar 28, 2025
2 Suspects Arrested in $1.7M Smash-and-Grab Robbery of NY Jewelry StoreCrimeApr 07, 2025
Third Man Involved in $2.7M Smash-and-Grab Is Sentenced
In March 2022, the men went into a jewelry store in Beverly Hills and smashed the display cases with sledgehammers and crowbars.
Long Beach, California, residents Ladell Tharpe, 39; Jimmy Lee Vernon, 33; and Deshon Bell, 22; all have been sentenced to time in federal prison for their roles in a smash-and-grab jewelry store robbery.
Los Angeles—The third of three adult men charged in the March 2022 robbery of Luxury Jewels of Beverly Hills has been sentenced to seven years in federal prison, the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced.
Ladell Tharpe, 39, of Long Beach, California, was sentenced March 31 by U.S. District Judge George H. Wu after pleading guilty in September 2024 to one count of Hobbs Act robbery.
According to authorities, Tharpe and three other men—22-year-old Deshon Bell, 33-year-old Jimmy Lee Vernon II, and an unnamed minor—drove three vehicles, one of which had been stolen, to the jewelry store in the middle of the afternoon on March 22.
Authorities said Bell acted as the getaway driver while the others used crowbars and sledgehammers to break the store’s display cases while employees and customers were in the store.
Related stories will be right here …
Ladell Tharpe, 39, of Long Beach, California, was sentenced March 31 by U.S. District Judge George H. Wu after pleading guilty in September 2024 to one count of Hobbs Act robbery.
According to authorities, Tharpe and three other men—22-year-old Deshon Bell, 33-year-old Jimmy Lee Vernon II, and an unnamed minor—drove three vehicles, one of which had been stolen, to the jewelry store in the middle of the afternoon on March 22.
Authorities said Bell acted as the getaway driver while the others used crowbars and sledgehammers to break the store’s display cases while employees and customers were in the store.
They stole at least 20 watches, 19 bracelets, eight rings, seven pairs of earrings, four necklaces, and a pair of obelisks worth approximately $2.7 million.
Two days after the robbery, Tharpe posted pictures of stacks of cash on Instagram along with a caption praising his “Robbery Gang,” authorities said, while Vernon’s cell phone fell out of his pocket at the jewelry store and was recovered by investigators.
Bell and Vernon also pleaded guilty to one count of Hobbs Act robbery each.
Bell, the getaway driver, was sentenced to one year and one day in federal prison in February 2024, while Vernon was sentenced in February to 80 months (six-and-a-half years) in prison.
All three men were ordered to pay $2.7 million in restitution.
More on Crime
The Latest
SourcingSep 09, 2025
Anglo American to Merge With Canadian Copper Miner Anglo plans to merge with Teck Resources Ltd. to form Anglo Teck. The deal changes nothing about its plans to offload De Beers.
AuctionsSep 09, 2025
‘The Mellon Blue’ to Return to Auction, This Time at Christie’s The 9.51-carat fancy vivid blue diamond, which set two world auction records at Sotheby’s in 2014, is estimated to fetch up to $30 million.
AuctionsSep 09, 2025
Phillips Names Dianne Batista Head of Jewels, New YorkThe industry veteran joins the auction house as it looks to solidify its footprint in the jewelry market.
Brought to you by
reDollar.com Is Rolling Out the Next Level Jewelry, Diamond & Watch Consignment ProgramWith their unmatched services and low fees, reDollar.com is challenging some big names in the online consignment world.
MajorsSep 09, 2025
MJSA Education Foundation Announces 2025 Scholarship WinnersThe nonprofit awarded four students pursuing a professional career in jewelry making and design with $2,250 each.
Weekly QuizSep 04, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
IndependentsSep 08, 2025
Take a Look Inside the New Korman Store in AustinThe Texas-based jeweler has also undergone a brand refresh, debuting a new website and logo.
MajorsSep 08, 2025
MJSA Is Officially Now Under JA’s UmbrellaThe two organizations have finalized and signed the affiliation agreement announced in May.
Brought to you by
Rallying Call for the Jewelry Industry on Tariffs and Other Key IssuesJewelers of America is leading the charge to protect the industry amidst rising economic threats.
AuctionsSep 08, 2025
Sotheby’s To Auction ‘Exceptional’ Collection of JAR, Suzanne Belperron JewelsThe single-owner sale will headline Sotheby's inaugural jewelry auction at the Breuer building, its new global headquarters, this December.
Events & AwardsSep 08, 2025
27 Can’t-Miss Converge Sessions, Events From sunrise yoga to tariffs talks, these are some events to check out at the upcoming inaugural event.
ColumnistsSep 05, 2025
Peter Smith: A Lasting Lesson From Maurice Tempelsman Smith recalls a bit of wisdom the industry leader, who died last week, shared at a diamond conference years ago.
CollectionsSep 05, 2025
Piece of the Week: Jamie Turner’s ‘Victoria’ Necklace The “Victoria” necklace features a labradorite hugged by diamond accents in 18-karat yellow gold.
Policies & IssuesSep 05, 2025
Trump Takes Tariffs Case to the Supreme Court Two lower courts have moved to block the import taxes, which will remain in place as the legal battle continues.
WatchesSep 05, 2025
Patrick Mahomes Is the New Hublot Brand AmbassadorThe Kansas City Chiefs quarterback shares Hublot’s dedication to pursuing greatness, the Swiss watchmaker said.
SourcingSep 04, 2025
Lucara Unveils Unusual 37-Carat Pink DiamondThe Type IIa stone, recovered from Botswana’s Karowe diamond mine last month, features unique coloration.
WatchesSep 04, 2025
Breitling Takes Its NFL Game to the Next Level Breitling is now the NFL’s official timepiece partner, a move that puts the brand in front of the millions of Americans who watch football.
Events & AwardsSep 04, 2025
The NYC Jewelry, Antique, & Object Show Returns in NovemberNYCJAOS is set for Nov. 21-23 in New York City’s Chelsea neighborhood.
SourcingSep 03, 2025
Gemfields Confirms Completion of Fabergé SaleU.S.-based investment company SMG Capital LLC is the new owner of the luxury brand.
MajorsSep 03, 2025
These Are the Nearly 300 Claire’s Stores Set to CloseA new court filing details the locations of the stores that will close, as well as the 830 that will remain open.
MajorsSep 03, 2025
Stuller Releases 2 New Catalogs The new catalogs are “Tools, Equipment, & Metals” and “Findings & Metals.”
TrendsSep 03, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: A Perfect BirthstoneSapphire’s variety of colors make it the perfect birthstone for September.
FinancialsSep 02, 2025
Lab-Grown Diamonds, Lower-Priced Fashion Jewelry Drive Signet Jewelers’ Q2 SalesThe retailer has raised its guidance after seeing total sales increase 3 percent in the second quarter, beating expectations.
MajorsSep 02, 2025
Birks CEO Jean-Christophe Bédos Steps DownNiccolò Rossi di Montelera, executive chairman of the board, was appointed as interim CEO.
MajorsSep 02, 2025
Harry Winston Opens Its Largest Flagship in JapanThe three-floor space also features the jeweler’s largest VIP salon in Japan and offers an exclusive diamond pendant.
CollectionsSep 02, 2025
Stephanie Gottlieb Debuts Silver Designs in ‘All Hours’ CollabThe collection is a collaboration between Stephanie Gottlieb Fine Jewelry and Oak and Luna, focusing on understated essentials.
AuctionsAug 29, 2025
Sotheby’s UAE Sale to Feature 32-Carat Fancy Vivid Orangy Pink DiamondThe highlight of a single-owner jewelry and watch collection, it’s estimated to fetch up to $7 million at auction this December.
