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.
CrimeFeb 15, 2017
2 Arrested in 2015 Arkansas Jewelry Store Robbery
Police have arrested the two men who allegedly brandished handguns during the smash-and-grab robbery of Roberson’s Fine Jewelry in Little Rock.
Little Rock, Ark.--Officials said Tuesday that two gunmen have been arrested in connection with the 2015 smash-and-grab robbery of an Arkansas jewelry store.
Christopher R. Thyer, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, announced via a press release the arrests of 27-year-old Quinshod Shaw and 29-year-old Darris Denton, both of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
The two men used handguns during the midday robbery of Roberson’s Fine Jewelry in Little Rock in September 2015, according to the release.
Shaw was taken into custody Monday afternoon in Norman, Oklahoma, and appeared before U.S. District Judge Charles B. Goodwin in the Western District of Oklahoma. Denton, meanwhile, was served an arrest warrant on Monday while being held in the McAlford Corrections Center in Stringfield, Oklahoma, on unrelated state charges.
Following the arrests, a second superseding indictment, returned by a grand jury on Feb. 7, was unsealed. It added Shaw and Denton to the list of five defendants previously indicted in connection with the robbery, Thyer said.
On Sept. 22, 2015, Shaw and Denton entered Roberson’s Fine Jewelry along with Tony Gabriel, 49, and Siee Ramon Russell, 38.
While Shaw and Denton allegedly pointed guns at employees and a customer, Russell smashed the jewelry cases with a hammer and Gabriel grabbed jewelry items--including diamond earrings, bracelets and rings--valued at more than $300,000.
The four men fled the store and left the scene of the crime in a stolen truck, which then was abandoned in a nearby neighborhood. In that neighborhood, the group is alleged to have met up with Lenora Grant, 60, Jobie Kirk, 51, and Darryl Madden, 52. All seven of them drove back to Oklahoma in two vehicles.
Using broken shards of glass from the smashed cases, the Little Rock Police Department was able to obtain blood samples and identify Russell’s DNA.
Police also found a hat used by one of the perpetrators during the robbery in the stolen truck that was abandoned; a DNA sample taken from that item identified Gabriel.
Meanwhile, surveillance video taken by Roberson’s confirmed what happened that day.
With the arrests of Shaw and Denton, all perpetrators in the case now are in custody, the U.S. attorney’s office said.
An indictment naming Gabriel and Russell was returned April 6, 2016. That original three-count indictment charged both with conspiracy to commit a Hobbs Act violation (interfering with commerce by means of robbery), aiding and abetting a Hobbs Act violation, and aiding
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
and abetting brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.
Both men pleaded guilty in October 2016 before U.S. District Court Judge J. Leon Holmes. They will be sentenced at a later date. According to Thyer, Gabriel and Russell admitted to the facts of the robbery in their plea agreements, including everyone’s individual role.
The three getaway drivers--Grant, Kirk and Madden--were named in a first superseding indictment returned in July 2016 and containing the same charges. They are set to go to trial on April 24.
The second superseding indictment, the one that was unsealed Monday, also contains the same charges and names the two gunmen, Shaw and Denton.
After being transported to Little Rock, they will appear before Judge Holmes for plea and arraignment at a later date.
Both men pleaded guilty in October 2016 before U.S. District Court Judge J. Leon Holmes. They will be sentenced at a later date. According to Thyer, Gabriel and Russell admitted to the facts of the robbery in their plea agreements, including everyone’s individual role.
The three getaway drivers--Grant, Kirk and Madden--were named in a first superseding indictment returned in July 2016 and containing the same charges. They are set to go to trial on April 24.
The second superseding indictment, the one that was unsealed Monday, also contains the same charges and names the two gunmen, Shaw and Denton.
After being transported to Little Rock, they will appear before Judge Holmes for plea and arraignment at a later date.
More on Crime
The Latest
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.
Brought to you by
Meet Gemology’s Next Generation Microscope: GIA® Gemolite® NXT Professional EditionExperience gemstones with greater precision and comfort than ever before.
SourcingOct 05, 2026
Bruce Bridges Joins CIBJO BoardThe AGTA president was elected for a two-year term on the board of directors.
Weekly QuizOct 01, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
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.
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.
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.
AuctionsSep 29, 2026
If You Love Cats, This Jewelry Auction Is for YouCat ladies of the jewelry world, unite. Sandy Lerner’s collection of cat jewelry and other objects is going up for auction Wednesday.
CollectionsSep 28, 2026
De Beers London Drops Water-Inspired High Jewelry Collection“Vibrations” features several firsts for De Beers’ high jewelry, including the use of chalcedony and diamonds sourced from artisanal miners.
CollectionsSep 28, 2026
Jessica McCormack Turns to Classic Motif for New CollectionThe “Bows” collection features three interpretations of the bow motif designed with Georgian and Victorian influences.
Events & AwardsSep 28, 2026
Guy Borenstein, Troy Underwood Among the Professionals Honored at AGS Conclave 2026The American Gem Society recognized industry members, one Guild, and a law enforcement official for their contributions to jewelry.
FinancialsSep 28, 2026
Instappraise, Jewelers Mutual Look to Simplify Jewelry InsuranceThrough a new system integration, customers can now receive instant personal jewelry insurance quotes at the time of appraisal.
