CrimeSep 16, 2025
2 Robbery Suspects Killed in California Pawn Shop ShootoutCrimeSep 30, 2025
2 Suspects Charged in $300K Sleight-of-Hand Jewelry Store Scam
Two men allegedly used counterfeit bills to purchase luxury watches and jewelry from a North Carolina jeweler.
Two suspects are charged with using counterfeit money to buy $300,000 worth of watches and jewelry from a jeweler in Pineville, North Carolina.
Charlotte, N.C.—Two Mississippi men are facing federal charges for using counterfeit money to buy high-end watches and jewelry from a retailer in Pineville, North Carolina.
Robert Lewis Elliott III, 36, and Devin Alonzo Elliott, 30, of Okolona, Mississippi, are charged with conspiracy to pass counterfeit obligations and passing counterfeit obligations, according to a press release from the office of Russ Ferguson, U.S. attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.
The criminal indictment was filed in August and was unsealed on Sept. 25 after the defendants’ court appearances.
According to the indictment, the two men traveled from Mississippi to North Carolina in June, entering the jewelry store, identified in local reports as Solitaire Jewelry at the Carolina Place Mall, on June 26.
They allegedly told an employee that they intended to buy $300,000 worth of watches and jewelry. They left a $1,000 cash deposit and said they would return the next day to finalize the sale.
The following day, June 27, the men did return.
According to the indictment, Robert allegedly handed over $10,000 (a stack of genuine $100 bills) for the employee to count.
The bills were counted using an electronic counter and verified with a counterfeit detection pen, the release said.
Then, the indictment alleges, Robert used a sleight-of-hand technique to swap the genuine bills with a stack of counterfeit bills, which were placed in the store’s safe as payment.
Robert used the same stack of genuine bills over and over, repeating the process until all the counterfeit money was in the safe.
Related stories will be right here …
Robert Lewis Elliott III, 36, and Devin Alonzo Elliott, 30, of Okolona, Mississippi, are charged with conspiracy to pass counterfeit obligations and passing counterfeit obligations, according to a press release from the office of Russ Ferguson, U.S. attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.
The criminal indictment was filed in August and was unsealed on Sept. 25 after the defendants’ court appearances.
According to the indictment, the two men traveled from Mississippi to North Carolina in June, entering the jewelry store, identified in local reports as Solitaire Jewelry at the Carolina Place Mall, on June 26.
They allegedly told an employee that they intended to buy $300,000 worth of watches and jewelry. They left a $1,000 cash deposit and said they would return the next day to finalize the sale.
The following day, June 27, the men did return.
According to the indictment, Robert allegedly handed over $10,000 (a stack of genuine $100 bills) for the employee to count.
The bills were counted using an electronic counter and verified with a counterfeit detection pen, the release said.
Then, the indictment alleges, Robert used a sleight-of-hand technique to swap the genuine bills with a stack of counterfeit bills, which were placed in the store’s safe as payment.
Robert used the same stack of genuine bills over and over, repeating the process until all the counterfeit money was in the safe.
Once the employee had finished counting the money, he asked Robert for his identification to complete the sale.
Robert allegedly said that he needed to go to his car to get his ID as well as money to buy more jewelry.
The two men then exited the store and fled, taking watches and jewelry valued at a combined $300,000, as per the release.
The stolen items were: a Patek Philippe diamond watch ($90,000), an Audemars Piguet watch ($48,000), a Cartier watch ($25,000), four Rolex watches ($76,300 total), a rose gold Cuban link chain ($32,000), a gold bracelet ($17,500), a bangle bracelet ($8,200), diamond earrings ($1,000), and 24-karat gold earrings ($2,000).
Robert and Devin were released on bond, the release said.
If convicted, they face up to five years in prison for conspiracy to pass counterfeit obligations and 20 years in prison for passing counterfeit obligations.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Crime
The Latest
AuctionsAug 11, 2026
Verdura Unicorn Brooch With Royal Connection Up for Auction The brooch was owned by Virginia Fortune Ryan Ogilvy, who served as a lady of the bedchamber to Queen Elizabeth II for nearly 50 years.
MajorsAug 11, 2026
Signet Jewelers Selects Mattel Exec to Lead Zales, BanterJamie Cygielman will take on the role on Aug. 24.
IndependentsAug 11, 2026
Polly’s Fine Jewelry Co-Owner Richard Moore Dies at 69Moore, Polly’s husband, is remembered as a family man with an easygoing spirit and a love for sports and the outdoors.
Brought to you by
Why More Jewelry Retailers Are Hosting Turnkey Estate Buying EventsRetailers are seeking new ways to attract customers, increase traffic, and create revenue – Estate buying events are a popular solution.
ColumnistsAug 11, 2026
Creative Connecting: How to Sell Colored Gemstones to Gen ZDuvall O’Steen and Jen Cullen Williams share the best ways to display, present, and explain colored gemstones to younger customers.
Weekly QuizAug 07, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Events & AwardsAug 11, 2026
NAJA Announces Lineup For 2026 Fall Virtual ConferenceThe mid-year conference for jewelry and watch appraisers will take place Sept. 5-6 on Zoom.
TechnologyAug 10, 2026
Colorado Jeweler Launches Customization Tool He Built HimselfHonest Hands Ring Co. Founder Benjamin Bosworth shared his thoughts on jewelry technology and why AI can never replace the human element.
Brought to you by
Wedding Band Trends 2026: Personalization Takes Center StageColored gemstones, artisan finishes, mixed metals, and meaningful details are shaping demand in bridal jewelry.
MajorsAug 10, 2026
QVC Exits Chapter 11 Bankruptcy, Names New Interim CEOQVC Group President and CEO David Rawlinson is temporarily being replaced by a familiar face, former QVC CEO Mike George.
CollectionsAug 10, 2026
State Property Puts a Ripple in the ‘The Voyager’ CollectionThe brand also added two one-of-a-kind brown diamond pieces to the “Sanssouci” series of its “Gardens” collection.
MajorsAug 10, 2026
And IJO’s 2026 Vendor of the Year Is … Ostbye took home top vendor honors at the Independent Jewelers Organization’s show, held last month in Kentucky.
Supplier BulletinAug 07, 2026
Why More Jewelry Retailers Are Hosting Turnkey Estate Buying EventsSponsored by Stratus Estate Buyers
MajorsAug 07, 2026
Retail Veteran Pam Cloud Appointed President of Blue NileCloud, who will officially join Blue Nile on Monday, spent 26 years at Tiffany & Co. and founded jewelry brand Roseate.
MajorsAug 07, 2026
Pandora Appoints Paulo Garcia as New CFO Garcia will take over from the company’s current CFO, Anders Boyer, who is retiring at the end of November.
MajorsAug 07, 2026
Etsy to Lay Off 12% of WorkforceEtsy CEO Kruti Patel Goyal explained why the company is letting go more than 200 employees as its performance improves.
TrendsAug 07, 2026
Look Ahead with Syna’s Binoculars PendantThe “Star Gazer” pendant, our Piece of the Week, is Syna’s tribute to curiosity and the discovery of something new.
MajorsAug 06, 2026
Claire’s Revamps Piercing Services for Second Time in Three Years The overhaul includes enhanced employee safety training and trendy earring styles, including lab-grown diamond studs.
FinancialsAug 06, 2026
Brilliant Earth’s Q2 Sales Up 6%, Driven by High-Income ShoppersThe retailer said it had its biggest Mother’s Day ever, with strong demand for higher-priced jewelry.
TrendsAug 06, 2026
New Book on Handcrafted American Objects Highlights Jewelry“Handwork: Handcrafted Objects that Made America” features historic and contemporary works, including a Diné squash blossom necklace.
MajorsAug 06, 2026
AJA East Coast Names Ani Khachian as First Female President-ElectThe Armenian Jewelers Association’s East Coast chapter has also elected its 2026–2027 board of directors.
MajorsAug 05, 2026
Private Equity Firm Wants to Buy 100+ JCPenney StoresOnyx Partners has submitted a second offer to buy the department stores after its first offer fell through last year.
IndependentsAug 05, 2026
Atlanta Jeweler Introduces $10K MartiniSolomon Brothers Jewelers has partnered with local cocktail bar Roaring Social on a new martini garnished with a tennis necklace.
IndependentsAug 05, 2026
Another Member of the Siegel Family Joins Hamilton Jewelers Benjamin Siegel, son of President and CEO Hank Siegel, started working for the family business this week.
MajorsAug 05, 2026
Bulgari Opens Store in San DiegoThe new space features a modern design that blends Bulgari’s Roman heritage with San Diego’s coastal spirit.
MajorsAug 04, 2026
Pandora Hires Former Signet Board Member to Lead North American MarketAndré Branch has more than 25 years of experience with various brands, most recently serving as CEO of Ariana Grande’s cosmetics company.
MajorsAug 04, 2026
Sasha Primak Acquires GemlokNew York-based atelier Gemlok is best known for creating the innovative “bridge” setting that became popular in the bridal market.
CollectionsAug 04, 2026
Musician Carlos Santana Launches Jewelry BrandSantana Now's debut collection, “Unidad,” features symbolic motifs as well as pieces of wood from the Woodstock stage.
