CrimeJul 14, 2026
Man Charged in $1M Jewelry Store Heist Lands on FBI Most Wanted ListCrimeAug 03, 2026
Florida Man Gets 15 Years in Trio of Jewelry Store Robberies
The 50-year-old man pleaded guilty earlier this year to robbing two jewelry stores and a pawn shop of more than $700,000 in merchandise.
In March, 50-year-old Michael Deon Woulard of Gainesville, Florida, pleaded guilty to robbing Kay Jewelers stores in Ocala and Jacksonville, Florida, as well as a pawn shop in Jacksonville. He was sentenced to nearly 15 years in federal prison late last week.
Gainesville, Fla.—A federal judge in Florida sentenced a 50-year-old man from Gainesville to nearly 15 years in prison after he confessed to robbing three jewelry stores.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Jacksonville, Florida, Michael Deon Woulard pleaded guilty to robbery and two counts of brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a violent crime in March.
He was sentenced to 14 years and 10 months behind bars on Friday, the minimum he could have received for his crimes. He also was ordered to pay $442,583 in restitution.
According to court documents and proceedings in the case, between October 2023 and February 2024, Woulard robbed two Kay Jewelers stores and a Value Pawn shop, netting about $760,000.
Prosecutors said he robbed the Value Pawn in Jacksonville, Florida, on Oct. 10, 2023, stealing $45,945 in goods.
On Nov. 25, Woulard robbed a Kay Jewelers store in Jacksonville, pointing a semi-automatic pistol at employees and stealing $352,624 in jewelry.
Related stories will be right here …
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Jacksonville, Florida, Michael Deon Woulard pleaded guilty to robbery and two counts of brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a violent crime in March.
He was sentenced to 14 years and 10 months behind bars on Friday, the minimum he could have received for his crimes. He also was ordered to pay $442,583 in restitution.
According to court documents and proceedings in the case, between October 2023 and February 2024, Woulard robbed two Kay Jewelers stores and a Value Pawn shop, netting about $760,000.
Prosecutors said he robbed the Value Pawn in Jacksonville, Florida, on Oct. 10, 2023, stealing $45,945 in goods.
On Nov. 25, Woulard robbed a Kay Jewelers store in Jacksonville, pointing a semi-automatic pistol at employees and stealing $352,624 in jewelry.
He robbed another Kay Jewelers store in early 2024, this one in Ocala, Florida, again pulling out a gun and making off with about $364,753 in jewelry.
Police arrested Woulard on Feb. 21, 2024.
He was in possession of numerous pieces of jewelry stolen during the third robbery and admitted to committing the jewelry store robberies in a voluntary interview, prosecutors said.
Woulard had a co-defendant in the case, Erica Jordan Patrick.
She pleaded guilty to two counts of aiding and abetting the November 2025 robbery.
According to prosecutors, she cased the store prior to the robbery and identified pieces and showcases for Woulard to target.
Court records show that Patrick, who provided information that led to Woulard’s arrest and the recovery of the guns used in the robberies, entered her plea Wednesday.
She received five years of probation.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Crime
The Latest
MajorsOct 22, 2026
Neiman Marcus Has Gifts for the Jewelry Lover Who Has EverythingBespoke experiences from Buccellati and Verdura are on the retailer’s 2026 “Fantasy Gifts” list.
Events & AwardsOct 22, 2026
JIS Fall 2026 Reports Record-Breaking Attendance The number of participants at the fall show was up 12 percent.
CollectionsOct 22, 2026
Billie Eilish, Finneas Co-Design Collection for John HardyThe Academy and Grammy award-winning siblings have collaborated with John Hardy on a new jewelry line inspired by their personal style.
Brought to you by
A Diamond Is Forever Launches 2026 Holiday Campaign Championing Natural DiamondsA Diamond Is Forever's holiday campaign reimagines natural diamond icons for a new generation celebrating individuality.
PodcastsOct 21, 2026
Episode 10: This Episode Is Haunted Diana Singer shared the stories of two “cursed” diamonds on this month’s podcast, which was inexplicably riddled with technical issues.
Weekly QuizOct 22, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
IndependentsOct 21, 2026
Gardner-Collier Jewelry to Close After 9 Decades in BusinessThe family-owned jeweler has three locations across Missouri and Iowa.
SourcingOct 21, 2026
Venetia Mines Final Carats Ahead of 2-Year ShutdownThe De Beers-owned diamond mine in South Africa is being put on ice as part of a round of previously announced cost-cutting measures.
Brought to you by
Open an Account, Get $50 Off Your First Order. No Code Needed.Built on Relationships. Refined by Craft.
CollectionsOct 21, 2026
Helzberg, Nordstrom Carrying New Jewelry Collection From Off-WhiteThe collection centers designs with clean geometric lines, chunky sculptural pieces, and recognizable details from the luxury fashion brand.
SourcingOct 21, 2026
Gemfields’ Mixed-Quality Ruby Auction Earns $52MThe miner said it saw particularly strong prices for larger, fine-quality rubies at the sale.
IndependentsOct 20, 2026
David Gardner’s Jewelers Unveils Newly Expanded, Revamped ShowroomThe Texas jeweler added 2,000 square feet to its reimagined showroom, complete with a new design studio and an event space.
SourcingOct 20, 2026
The $50M Victoria’s Secret ‘Fantasy Bra’ By The NumbersJacob & Co.'s diamond masterpiece is the most expensive Fantasy Bra ever worn on the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show runway.
CollectionsOct 20, 2026
Mignon Faget’s Collection Chooses Handmade Over AIThe “Atelier” collection was inspired by the tools, rituals, and objects in an artist’s studio as a quiet rebuttal to an automated world.
MajorsOct 19, 2026
The Knot to Acquire Rival Wedding Planning Platform ZolaThe pending acquisition is an “exciting opportunity” for wedding vendors to grow their business, said The Knot Worldwide’s CEO.
SourcingOct 19, 2026
Jewelry Design Competition Show Airs in Thailand"The Secret Gems" features eight Thai jewelry brands paired with a team of young craftspeople who create jewelry together to win challenges.
CollectionsOct 19, 2026
John Hardy Enters the Medallion Chat With Talisman Collection The brand’s “Modern Talisman” capsule collection introduces pendants inspired by the mythology, natural world, and spiritual ethos of Bali.
IndependentsOct 19, 2026
The Stories of 5 Jewelers Celebrating Their Centennials in 2026Independent jewelers from New Mexico to New Jersey answer the question: What has kept your store in business for 100 years?
SurveysOct 16, 2026
How Inflation, Gas Prices Will Affect Holiday Sales The NRF is expecting holiday sales to increase this year, but consumers and retailers alike are facing Grinch-like headwinds.
CollectionsOct 16, 2026
Christina Puchi’s Earrings Hold the UniverseOur Piece of the Week gathers the planets, represented by a variety of colored gemstones, in a pair of 14-karat yellow gold earrings.
IndependentsOct 16, 2026
Reeds Jewelers Expands, Relocates FlagshipThe New York-based jeweler is moving its Amherst flagship store to a larger location in nearby Snyder.
MajorsOct 16, 2026
Katy Chen Appointed Executive Vice President of Graff USA Chen, who worked at Cartier and Tiffany & Co., will lead retail sales and operations for the luxury jeweler’s 11 U.S. stores.
IndependentsOct 15, 2026
Retailer Hall of Fame 2026: Amy and Elise Greenberg For 40 years, sisters Amy and Elise Greenberg have helmed their 126-year-old family business, leading with appreciation and integrity.
ColumnistsOct 15, 2026
Peter Smith: What Is the Culture REP?It’s a term Smith coined and felt compelled to share following a bad experience with an aborted flight and an unfeeling flight attendant.
WatchesOct 15, 2026
Stephanie Gottlieb’s New Movado Watches Are Made for Your Wrist StackMovado teamed up with the New York-based fine jewelry designer on a new collection of Movado Museum Velura watches.
SourcingOct 15, 2026
Signet Jewelers, Richemont May Join Bidder for De Beers, Report SaysThe two companies are reportedly in talks to join the Global Diamond Consortium, led by former De Beers CEO Gareth Penny, as per Bloomberg.
CollectionsOct 15, 2026
Wolf x Marla Aaron's New Jewelry Box Is for Some (Not All) of Your ThingsThe “Some of the Things” box follows the two larger “Everything” box designs with the look and function of antique sewing and toolboxes.
IndependentsOct 14, 2026
Retailer Hall of Fame 2026: Coleman and Mitchell ClarkFourth-generation jewelers Coleman and Mitchell Clark exemplify the best qualities of their predecessors: humility, modesty, and confidence.
