Crime

15 Rounded Up for Robbing Traveling Jewelry Salespeople

CrimeSep 07, 2018

15 Rounded Up for Robbing Traveling Jewelry Salespeople

The attacks happened between 2014 and 2016, totaling 11 incidences in five states.

New York—Law enforcement officials just arrested the last of the 15 Colombians wanted in 11 violent robberies of traveling jewelry salespeople perpetrated over a nearly two-year span.

The U.S. Department of Justice said Tuesday the FBI and the Miami Beach Police Department arrested the final suspect Sunday in Miami, ending the string of arrests that began in 2016 and involved the FBI, the Justice Department, local law enforcement agencies and the Colombian National Police.

While the Jewelers’ Security Alliance has issued a number of warnings about off-premises attacks in recent years—including this one from November 2016—this particular string of robberies happened between late 2014 and early 2016.

According to the Justice Department, members of the gang used fake IDs to rent cars and book hotel rooms and flights to do surveillance on their intended targets, starting in Oklahoma City in September 2014 and ending in January 2016 in Dallas.

They watched traveling diamond and jewelry salespeople as they went in and out of jewelry stores—surveilling them on foot or from vehicles—and followed them in order to identify potential victims.

When they were ready to strike, gang members allegedly blocked in their victims’ vehicles, often flattening the tires and smashing in the windows, and threatened the salespeople with BB guns, knives, blades and center punches (a tool with a sharp point used to mark the center of an object) to get them to turn over their diamonds and jewelry.

According to the Justice Department, the 15 suspects carried out, or attempted to carry out, robberies in five states: Oklahoma, Texas, Florida, Indiana and Virginia. Salespeople traveling through Texas were targeted the most, with nearly half of the robberies taking place in either Dallas or Houston.

Members of the crew allegedly sold the diamonds and jewelry they stole to various fences—individuals who knowingly buy stolen goods in order to later offload them for a profit—and split the proceeds.

The suspects are a mix of women and men, all Colombian nationals and ranging in age from 25 to 45. A full list of their names, along with their many aliases and various charges, is available on Justice.gov.

Three of the suspects were nabbed in Colombia by the Colombian National Police, DIJIN Vetted Team, between October 2017 and this past February. The remaining 12 defendants were caught in the United States.

The suspects face various robbery and RICO (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations

Act) conspiracy charges, and nine of the 15 have pleaded guilty so far.

According to the Justice Department, those nine are:
—Omar Gonzalez, 38, pleaded guilty to RICO conspiracy on July 27, 2017 and was sentenced on Feb. 20 to 66 months in prison;
—Erika Guiterrez Machado (aka Angela Cuebas), 45, pleaded guilty to conspiring to commit a robbery on Sept. 5, 2017 and was sentenced to 40 months in prison on Jan. 22;
—Tito Andres Vargas Urbina, 31, pleaded guilty to RICO conspiracy on Aug. 29, 2017;
—Jonathan David Malpica, 33, pleaded guilty to RICO conspiracy on Sept. 5, 2017;
—Catherine Salas, 34, pleaded guilty to conspiring to commit a robbery on Oct. 31, 2017;
—Andres Felipe Henao, 32, pleaded guilty to conspiring to commit a robbery on Jan. 9;
—Mohammed Natour, 32, pleaded guilty to RICO conspiracy on March 13;
—Roger Zamora (aka Jaime Alba Juarez), 40, pleaded guilty to RICO conspiracy on March 20; and
—Luis Garcia, 31, pleaded guilty to conspiring to commit a robbery on March 27.

Urbina, Malpica, Salas, Henao, Natour, Zamora and Garcia are all awaiting sentencing.
Michelle Graffis the editor-in-chief at National Jeweler, directing the publication’s coverage both online and in print.

The Latest

Mikimoto Les Pétales Campaign Imagery and Les Pétales Necklace
CollectionsJul 08, 2025
Mikimoto’s High Jewelry Collection Turns Pearls into Petals

The “Les Pétales” collection imagines roses caught mid-bloom as a tribute to nature’s beauty.

National Jeweler columnist and jewelry sales expert Peter Smith
ColumnistsJul 08, 2025
Peter Smith: Why Jewelers Struggle With Premium Pricing

Luxury brands charge thousands for their shoes and handbags. Jewelers pricing diamond products should take note, Peter Smith writes.

David Rotenberg of David Craig Jewelers
IndependentsJul 08, 2025
David Rotenberg of David Craig Jewelers Dies at 79

Rotenberg was an active member of the American Gem Society and an accomplished appraiser who also worked with therapy dogs at a hospital.

an instructor and a student in a bench jewelry classroom
Brought to you by
Investing in the Next Generation of Bench Jewelers

The Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.

Diamond Divas Cast
TechnologyJul 08, 2025
‘Diamond Divas’ Brings the Showroom to Social Media Reality Series

It follows New York-based brand Shahla Karimi Jewelry’s all-women team in “Say Yes to the Dress” meets “The Office”-style episodes.

Weekly QuizJul 02, 2025
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
SMO Golden Gala
Policies & IssuesJul 08, 2025
SMO Gold Launches New Foundation

In its inaugural year, the SMO Foundation will focus on supporting two organizations in West Africa and one in South America.

Stock image of container ship in port
Policies & IssuesJul 07, 2025
Higher Tariffs Set to Take Effect Aug. 1, Officials Say

The announcement comes just as the 90-day freeze on the “reciprocal” tariffs nears its end, giving countries more time to negotiate.

Jewelers of America logo with meetup, State of the Majors, giveaway and massages
Brought to you by
Jewelers of America is Headed to Las Vegas for JCK 2025

The countdown is on for the JCK Las Vegas Show and JA is pulling out all the stops.

David Kellie
MajorsJul 07, 2025
Natural Diamond Council CEO David Kellie To Step Down

Kellie, who joined the organization in 2019, will remain in his role through the end of 2025.

Ella Klein Internship
Events & AwardsJul 07, 2025
Applications Open for Ella Klein Internship

The program, a collaboration between Julius Klein Diamonds and the Women’s Jewelry Association, is in its second year.

GIA iD100® Technology
Supplier BulletinJul 03, 2025
Protect Your Customers and Your Business

Sponsored by the Gemological Institute of America

Madison Keys in Brilliant Earth campaign
MajorsJul 03, 2025
Brilliant Earth Names Tennis Star Madison Keys as Its New Ambassador

The 2025 Australian Open champion is the jewelry brand’s first athlete ambassador.

Muse Nordstrom shop-in-shop
MajorsJul 03, 2025
Muse Sets Up Shop in Nordstrom’s New Jewelry Hall

The West Village jewelry boutique’s new shop-in-shop is the cornerstone of Nordstrom’s revamped jewelry hall.

Shree Ramkrishna Exports
SourcingJul 03, 2025
SRK Announces Its Natural Diamonds Are Now Carbon-Negative

This past year, the manufacturer said it recorded below-zero emissions per carat of natural diamond.

Yeprem Golden Strada Statement Necklace
CollectionsJul 03, 2025
Piece of the Week: A Firework of Diamonds From Yeprem

The brand’s “Golden Strada” statement necklace features round, marquise, and pear diamonds that sparkle like Fourth of July fireworks.

Exterior and entryway of Boucheron’s Los Angeles Flagship
MajorsJul 02, 2025
Boucheron Looks to LA for First West Coast Flagship

Located on Rodeo Drive, the store’s design was inspired by Hollywood and Los Angeles culture.

Exterior of Marco Bicego Milan Flagship
MajorsJul 02, 2025
Marco Bicego Opens Milan Flagship

The new location continues the brand’s celebration of its 25th anniversary.

Chrono24 Time Is Our Thing campaign image
WatchesJul 02, 2025
Chrono24 Revamps Brand, Launches New Campaign

The online watch marketplace’s “Time Is Our Thing” campaign highlights the importance of time.

Bernadette Mack
SourcingJul 02, 2025
Bernadette Mack Joins Gem Legacy as Executive Director

She will oversee strategic planning, fundraising, industry partnerships, and the launch of the Gem Legacy Campus in Tanzania.

Counterfeit Pandora jewelry in bags and boxes
CrimeJul 02, 2025
Pandora, Amazon Partner to Uncover Counterfeit Jewelry Network

Working with Amazon’s Counterfeit Crimes Unit and law enforcement, Pandora helped to shut down a large-scale counterfeit network in China.

Cast Issa Rae
MajorsJul 01, 2025
Cast Closes Business, Plans for Relaunch

The jewelry company has closed its three California brick-and-mortar stores, as well as its online shop, for now.

Eve Goldberg, Matthew Denatale, Willie Lopez, Benjamin Goldberg
Events & AwardsJul 01, 2025
William Goldberg Diamonds, FIT Partner for Apprenticeship Program

The company is providing the opportunity for an FIT student to work alongside master diamond cutter Willie Lopez in its workshop.

Elie Hannoush
IndependentsJul 01, 2025
Elie Hannoush, Founder of Hannoush Jewelers, Dies at 73

He is remembered for his successful entrepreneurship, generosity, and dedication to his family.

Claire’s store
MajorsJul 01, 2025
Claire’s Is Looking for a Buyer, Report Says

The jewelry store chain has reportedly been struggling with costs related to tariffs as well as tough retail competition.

Mindi Mond Spike Earrings
TrendsJul 01, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Red Hot Rubies

Welcome warm summer days with red hot rubies perfectly chosen as July’s birthstone.

The Story of Everything Campaign, Toadstool Mushroom and Cosmic Egg
CollectionsJun 30, 2025
State Property’s New Jewelry Tells ‘The Story of Everything’

Co-founders Afzal Imram and Lin Ruiyin brought their son’s story of a cosmic egg, toadstool, and railroad to life in their new collection.

Smart Age Solutions CEO Emmanuel Raheb
ColumnistsJun 30, 2025
The Smart Lab: Why Q3 Is the Secret Weapon For Holiday Jewelry Sales

The best time to prepare for the holiday season is right now, according to columnist Emmanuel Raheb.

×

This site uses cookies to give you the best online experience. By continuing to use & browse this site, we assume you agree to our Privacy Policy