CrimeJan 06, 2026
2 Jewelers Arrested After TraxNYC Diamond District BrawlCrimeJan 13, 2026
Alleged Getaway Driver Charged in Florida Jewelry Store Robbery
Ivel Sanchez Rivera, 52, has been arrested and charged in connection with the armed robbery of Tio Jewelers in Cape Coral, Florida.
Fort Myers, Fla.—An alleged getaway driver has been arrested and charged in connection with a Florida jewelry store robbery.
Ivel Sanchez Rivera, 52, of Hialeah, Florida, has been charged with conspiracy and interference with commerce by robbery as well as use and brandishing of a firearm during a crime of violence, according to a release from the office of U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe.
According to the criminal complaint, two armed men entered Tio Jewelers in Cape Coral, Florida, from an adjacent vacant business when the jewelry store was closed.
Video surveillance footage reviewed by police showed the two men entering the empty store around midnight on Jan. 6 by prying the door open.
An investigation found that a large hole had been cut into the wall of the bathroom adjacent to the jewelry store’s bathroom, which is how authorities believe the men got into the jewelry store.
The footage shows them entering and exiting the vacant space over the course of several hours, not exiting until around 10 a.m., after the robbery, said the complaint.
The jewelry store manager told police that when he went into the store that morning, he was confronted by two armed, masked men who ordered him to get down on the ground.
The manager said he was restrained with zip ties around his wrists and ankles, and was pistol-whipped by one of the assailants.
The manager was wearing a satchel that contained a firearm, which he said was removed and stolen by the men. An additional firearm was also stolen from the store.
His restraints were removed so that he could open the safe, and then he was restrained again, according to the criminal complaint.
He reported that more than $500,000 worth of jewelry was taken from the safe. His personal Breitling watch, valued at $5,500, also was stolen.
The thieves also took a precious metal analyzer.
Related stories will be right here …
Ivel Sanchez Rivera, 52, of Hialeah, Florida, has been charged with conspiracy and interference with commerce by robbery as well as use and brandishing of a firearm during a crime of violence, according to a release from the office of U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe.
According to the criminal complaint, two armed men entered Tio Jewelers in Cape Coral, Florida, from an adjacent vacant business when the jewelry store was closed.
Video surveillance footage reviewed by police showed the two men entering the empty store around midnight on Jan. 6 by prying the door open.
An investigation found that a large hole had been cut into the wall of the bathroom adjacent to the jewelry store’s bathroom, which is how authorities believe the men got into the jewelry store.
The footage shows them entering and exiting the vacant space over the course of several hours, not exiting until around 10 a.m., after the robbery, said the complaint.
The jewelry store manager told police that when he went into the store that morning, he was confronted by two armed, masked men who ordered him to get down on the ground.
The manager said he was restrained with zip ties around his wrists and ankles, and was pistol-whipped by one of the assailants.
The manager was wearing a satchel that contained a firearm, which he said was removed and stolen by the men. An additional firearm was also stolen from the store.
His restraints were removed so that he could open the safe, and then he was restrained again, according to the criminal complaint.
He reported that more than $500,000 worth of jewelry was taken from the safe. His personal Breitling watch, valued at $5,500, also was stolen.
The thieves also took a precious metal analyzer.
The robbers then made a phone call, asking someone to bring the car around, and exited through the store bathroom, said the manager.
They left in a black Infiniti that, authorities allege, Sanchez Rivera was driving.
According to the Cape Coral Police Department, he allegedly drove the car to the area of the jewelry store the night before, then returned to Miami after the robbery.
Officials executed a search warrant for Sanchez Rivera’s residence and discovered two firearms, including the one allegedly taken from the jewelry store manager during the robbery.
If convicted, Sanchez Rivera will face a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison for the conspiracy offense and a consecutive seven years in federal prison for the firearm offense.
The Cape Coral Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated the case, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jesus M. Casas will prosecute it.
More on Crime
The Latest
Policies & IssuesOct 06, 2026
6 Charged in Connection to String of New Jersey Smash-and-GrabsThe alleged thieves used crow bars and sledgehammers to smash into jewelry stores across the state.
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.
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 06, 2026
Frederick Goldman Names COO, CMOFGI President John Orrico is also leaving the company after more than 13 years.
Weekly QuizOct 01, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
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.
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.
AuctionsOct 05, 2026
The Star Cats of the Sandy Lerner AuctionThese jewels stood out at Bonhams’ sale of the cat-loving tech entrepreneur’s collection of objects depicting the feline form.
CollectionsOct 05, 2026
Sorellina Writes Another Love Letter for ‘Postscript’ CollectionThe fine jewelry brand has expanded the collection that debuted at Couture with four new designs based on its most popular styles.
SourcingOct 05, 2026
Bruce Bridges Joins CIBJO BoardThe AGTA president was elected for a two-year term on the board of directors.
SourcingOct 02, 2026
De Beers, National Geographic Society Renew Okavango Eternal Partnership The partnership, a pledge to protect Africa’s Okavango River Basin, has been extended for an additional five years.
MajorsOct 02, 2026
Pandora Opens New $150M Manufacturing Facility in VietnamThe new facility, its first outside of Thailand, will boost its manufacturing capacity by 50 percent.
TrendsOct 02, 2026
Hearts On Fire Celebrates 30th Anniversary With Heart PendantThe special-edition “Dream” pendant, our Piece of the Week, was created to mark Hearts On Fire’s 30-year milestone with 30 diamonds.
SurveysOct 01, 2026
Rolex Ranks Among Most Recommended Brands in US, Survey Says YouGov’s 2026 U.S. Most Recommended Brands report’s out, and a fast-fashion giant is sitting at No. 1 while Rolex is just shy of the top 5.
SourcingOct 01, 2026
Columbia Gem House Opens ‘Cutting Toward Change’ FundraiserProceeds from its jewelry raffle will benefit an organization working in India to combat silicosis, a lung disease affecting stone cutters.
TrendsOct 01, 2026
Carolina Hurricanes’ Championship Ring Reveals Hidden Hockey Puck PendantThe rings, crafted by Jason of Beverly Hills, celebrate the hockey team’s Stanley Cup win with design elements that honor its traditions.
TrendsOct 01, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: October’s Color Range This roundup of birthstone jewelry for October features vibrant tourmalines and opals with personality.
SourcingSep 30, 2026
Botswana’s President, De Beers CEO Say Diamond Demand Is RecoveringPresident Duma Boko spoke at back-to-back events in the city last week, touting Botswana’s stability and the diamond “bounceback.”
CollectionsSep 30, 2026
Oscar Heyman’s Holiday Book Is ‘A Living Archive’ The catalog showcases 112 new, one-of-a-kind pieces amid highlights from the jeweler’s historic archive.
SourcingSep 30, 2026
Gemfields Posts $98.5M Loss, Writes Down Value of Ruby MineIts Montepuez Ruby Mining operation in Mozambique, which is not yielding enough high-quality rubies, has taken a $125 million hit.
SurveysSep 30, 2026
Consumer Confidence Falls to 12-Year Low in SeptemberThose surveyed were worried about the present and the future, with write-in responses mentioning high oil and gas prices.
Events & AwardsSep 30, 2026
Jewelers of America, JA New York to Host Networking EventThe event will take place on the evening of Oct. 26 in New York City.
IndependentsSep 29, 2026
Christy Bromberg, Longtime Gift Buyer for Underwood Jewelers, Dies at 68She is remembered for her joie de vivre, upbeat personality, genuine interest in other people, and love of the Alabama Crimson Tide.
AuctionsSep 29, 2026
Dionne Warwick’s Jewelry Goes Up for AuctionOnline bidding is open now for Julien’s sale of items owned by the “Walk On By” singer, whose final album comes out this fall.
Events & AwardsSep 29, 2026
Matt Stuller to Receive 2027 Gem Award for Lifetime AchievementThe founder and executive chairman of Stuller Inc. is being honored for his impact on the jewelry industry at the 25th annual Gem Awards.
ColumnistsSep 29, 2026
Your Holiday Marketing Has a Bridal Blind SpotDecember is the most popular month to propose, and jewelers need to keep that in mind when planning their holiday marketing.
