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 & IssuesFeb 24, 2026
IEEPA Tariffs Terminated, New 10% Tariff Already ImposedAfter the Supreme Court struck down the IEEPA tariffs, President Trump imposed a 10 percent tax on almost all imports via a different law.
IndependentsFeb 24, 2026
Sherry Smith Now Principal Partner at The Retail SmithsThe industry veteran, who was with The Edge Retail Academy for 14 years, joins her husband at the company he founded in 2022.
IndependentsFeb 24, 2026
Yafa Signed Jewels to Open Store in MiamiThe vintage signed jewelry retailer chose Miami due to growing client demand in the city and the greater Latin American region.
Brought to you by
DCA Enters a New Chapter in Jewelry EducationWith refreshed branding, a new website, updated courses, and a pathway for growth, DCA is dedicated to supporting retail staff development.
WatchesFeb 24, 2026
Chrono24 Names New VP, U.S. General ManagerFormer Flight Club executive Jin Lee will bring his experience from the sneaker world to the pre-owned watch marketplace.
Weekly QuizFeb 19, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingFeb 23, 2026
Designer Eddie Sakamoto, a Humble Artist, Dies at 72Sakamoto, who died in mid-January following a sudden illness, is remembered for his humility and his masterful, architectural designs.
Events & AwardsFeb 23, 2026
NYCJAOS Announces Four-Day Spring ShowThe April event will feature a new VIP shopping day requiring a special ticket.
Brought to you by
The MJSA Mentor & Apprenticeship Program: Attracting & Training the Next Generation of Bench JewelersLaunched in 2023, the program will help the passing of knowledge between generations and alleviate the shortage of bench jewelers.
TrendsFeb 23, 2026
Dua Lipa Is Bulgari’s New AmbassadorBulgari chose the British-Albanian singer-songwriter for her powerful and enduring voice in contemporary culture, the jeweler said.
Policies & IssuesFeb 20, 2026
Supreme Court Rules Against Most of President Trump’s TariffsIn a 6-3 ruling, the court said the president exceeded his authority when imposing sweeping tariffs under IEEPA.
ColumnistsFeb 20, 2026
Peter Smith: Happiness, Cavemen, and Jewelry SalesSmith encourages salespeople to ask customers questions that elicit the release of oxytocin, the brain’s “feel-good” chemical.
MajorsFeb 20, 2026
Jewelers Vigilance Committee Names Julie Yoakum Board ChairJVC also announced the election of five new board members.
CollectionsFeb 20, 2026
Boucheron’s ‘Faisceaux’ Brooch Heads to V&A MuseumThe brooch, our Piece of the Week, shows the chromatic spectrum through a holographic coating on rock crystal.
IndependentsFeb 19, 2026
Bailey’s Fine Jewelry Co-Founder ‘Mama Ann’ Bailey Dies at 100Raised in an orphanage, Bailey was 18 when she met her husband, Clyde. They opened their North Carolina jewelry store in 1948.
IndependentsFeb 19, 2026
Material Good Opens Third Location Material Good is celebrating its 10th anniversary as it opens its new store in the Back Bay neighborhood of Boston.
Events & AwardsFeb 19, 2026
The Original Miami Beach Antique Show Returns in MarchThe show will be held March 26-30 at the Miami Beach Convention Center.
AuctionsFeb 18, 2026
Joanna Carson’s Jewels Head to AuctionThe estate of the model, philanthropist, and ex-wife of Johnny Carson has signed statement jewels up for sale at John Moran Auctioneers.
PodcastsFeb 18, 2026
Episode 2: Jewelry Trends & Does the Red Carpet Matter?Are arm bands poised to make a comeback? Has red-carpet jewelry become boring? Find out on the second episode of the “My Next Question” podcast.
MajorsFeb 18, 2026
Select Jewelry Inks Agreement to Distribute Lightweight Gold JewelryIt will lead distribution in North America for Graziella Braccialini's new gold pieces, which it said are 50 percent lighter.
Policies & IssuesFeb 18, 2026
Community for Ethical Jewelry Looks for Executive DirectorThe organization is seeking a new executive director to lead it into its next phase of strategic growth and industry influence.
Events & AwardsFeb 18, 2026
DCA to Host Gemstone Selling Education Session at IJO EventThe nonprofit will present a live, two-hour introductory course on building confidence when selling colored gemstones.
TrendsFeb 17, 2026
A Bit of Jewelry for the Year of the HorseWestern wear continues to trend in the Year of the Fire Horse and along with it, horse and horseshoe motifs in jewelry.
SourcingFeb 17, 2026
Colored Gemstone Experts Talk Tariffs, Trends in TucsonAlthough the market is robust, tariffs and precious metal prices are impacting the industry, Stuart Robertson and Brecken Branstrator said.
GradingFeb 17, 2026
Dr. George Rossman, Former GIA Governor, Dies at 81Rossman, who advised GIA for more than 50 years, is remembered for his passion and dedication to the field of gemology.
IndependentsFeb 13, 2026
97-Year-Old New Mexico Jewelry Store To CloseButterfield Jewelers in Albuquerque, New Mexico, is preparing to close as members of the Butterfield family head into retirement.
CollectionsFeb 13, 2026
A ‘Rosebud’ Necklace for Valentine’s DayPaul Morelli’s “Rosebud” necklace, our Piece of the Week, uses 18-karat rose, green, and white gold to turn the symbol of love into jewelry.
MajorsFeb 13, 2026
JFC Announces New BeneficiariesThe nonprofit has welcomed four new grantees for 2026.
