CrimeJul 23, 2025
JSA Warns of Violent String of Smash-and-Grabs in California CrimeAug 04, 2025
‘The Watch King’ Assaulted, Robbed in Queens
Moshe Haimoff, a social media personality and 47th Street retailer, was robbed of $559,000 worth of jewelry by men in construction outfits.
This surveillance image shows one of the individuals who robbed “The Watch King” on July 23. (Image courtesy of the NYPD)
New York—The New York City Police Department is asking for the public’s help in identifying the three individuals connected to the robbery of “The Watch King.”
Moshe Haimoff, known as “The Watch King” on Instagram, runs a store of the same name in New York City’s Diamond District.
He gained social media fame, racking up 1.6 million followers, working with celebrity clients like Pete Davidson.
On July 23 around 10 a.m., Haimoff was outside of his home in the Utopia neighborhood in Queens, New York, walking to his car.
He was approached by two individuals, according to police. Surveillance images show the suspects dressed up as construction workers.
One man hit Haimoff with a stun gun, then the other forced him onto the ground.
The two suspects then began to remove Haimoff’s jewelry.
A third individual drove the getaway vehicle, identified as a silver Mercedes-Benz SUV.
The value of the stolen jewelry is approximately $559,000, said police.
Haimoff sustained minor injuries, including a laceration and bruising to the wrist and neck, and he was transported by EMS to New York-Presbyterian Queens Hospital in stable condition.
“Thank God I’m alive,” he said in an interview with The New York Post. “That’s all that matters.”
Haimoff told the Post that he believes he was targeted.
Related stories will be right here …
Moshe Haimoff, known as “The Watch King” on Instagram, runs a store of the same name in New York City’s Diamond District.
He gained social media fame, racking up 1.6 million followers, working with celebrity clients like Pete Davidson.
On July 23 around 10 a.m., Haimoff was outside of his home in the Utopia neighborhood in Queens, New York, walking to his car.
He was approached by two individuals, according to police. Surveillance images show the suspects dressed up as construction workers.
This surveillance image shows a second suspect dressed up like a construction worker. (Image courtesy of the NYPD)
One man hit Haimoff with a stun gun, then the other forced him onto the ground.
The two suspects then began to remove Haimoff’s jewelry.
A third individual drove the getaway vehicle, identified as a silver Mercedes-Benz SUV.
The value of the stolen jewelry is approximately $559,000, said police.
Police said a third individual drove the getaway vehicle, seen here. (Image courtesy of the NYPD)
Haimoff sustained minor injuries, including a laceration and bruising to the wrist and neck, and he was transported by EMS to New York-Presbyterian Queens Hospital in stable condition.
“Thank God I’m alive,” he said in an interview with The New York Post. “That’s all that matters.”
Haimoff told the Post that he believes he was targeted.
Police described one of the suspects as a man, last seen wearing an orange and yellow striped reflective vest, a bucket hat, brown pants, black shoes, a white mask, and black gloves.
The second suspect, also said to be a man, was last seen wearing a yellow striped reflective vest, a black hat, black pants, black shoes, and black gloves.
Anyone with information is encouraged to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). All calls are confidential.
Tips can also be submitted via the Crime Stoppers website or on X to NYPDTips.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Crime
The Latest
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.
Brought to you by
Meet Gemology’s Next Generation Microscope: GIA® Gemolite® NXT Professional EditionExperience gemstones with greater precision and comfort than ever before.
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.
Weekly QuizOct 08, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
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.
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.
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.
SourcingOct 05, 2026
De Beers to Take Full Ownership of Gahcho KuéIt is the last fully operational diamond mine in Canada following the recent closures of Ekati and Diavik.
