CollectionsJul 08, 2025
Mikimoto’s High Jewelry Collection Turns Pearls into PetalsThe “Les Pétales” collection imagines roses caught mid-bloom as a tribute to nature’s beauty.
CrimeOct 26, 2018
Two Brooklyn Men Arrested in String of Jewelry Thefts
Police say the pair hit multiple stores across the Garden and Empire states.
Tony Newton, 56, (left) and Gerald Williams, 45, were arrested in Brooklyn, N.Y. and charged in a string of jewelry store burglaries. (Photo credit: Paramus Police Department)
Paramus, N.J.—The Paramus Police Department recently arrested two men they believe committed a string of jewelry store burglaries stretching from New Jersey’s Garden State Plaza mall to Albany, New York.
The Paramus Police Department said last week that 45-year-old Gerald Williams and 56-year-old Tony Newton, both of Brooklyn, N.Y., were arrested and charged with multiple counts of burglary and theft, plus possession of stolen property and shoplifting.
The pair’s first alleged theft happened earlier this year on Jan. 13 at Kay Jewelers at Garden State Plaza. Police said they responded to a reported burglary at the mall and found that the suspects had cut the front security gate to get into the store after-hours and ransacked the display cases.
Paramus Police Detective Nicholas Luciano of the Special Investigations Unit worked with other detectives to determine that the same two suspects committed at least three other burglaries at different Kay stores in the area and had stolen jewelry from Nordstrom at Garden State Plaza as well, police said. The value of the jewelry stolen in Paramus totaled more than $250,000.
During the investigation, Luciano reached out to the New York City Police Department for assistance, working with NYPD Sgt. Robert Olson over the following few months to review video tapes of burglaries committed across New Jersey and New York.
Police said they were able to identify a pattern of similar burglaries and jewelry thefts, including at two of the Kay stores in the Menlo Park Mall in Edison, New Jersey and “potentially several as far away as Albany, N.Y,” which is nearly 170 miles north in New York state. They also were able to identify a stolen vehicle that was used in the burglary of the Kay store in the Bergen Town Center mall in Paramus.
On Sept. 29, Paramus officers again were called to Garden State Plaza for a burglary, this time of a kiosk (police did not specify which kiosk) and said that they recognized one of the men on the video surveillance tape who allegedly had also been caught on camera in the Kay and Nordstrom jewelry thefts.
The following day, Luciano and Olson tracked down the stolen vehicle from the Bergen Town Center mall theft in Brooklyn. They found Newton inside and arrested him. Williams was taken into custody later in his Brooklyn home. Police said Newton and Williams are related though they
did not elaborate on the exact nature of the connection.
The 56-year-old Newton faces four counts of burglary, four counts of theft, two counts of possession of stolen property and one count of shoplifting, while Williams, 45, is charged with three counts of burglary, three counts of theft and one count of possession of stolen property and shoplifting.
The 56-year-old Newton faces four counts of burglary, four counts of theft, two counts of possession of stolen property and one count of shoplifting, while Williams, 45, is charged with three counts of burglary, three counts of theft and one count of possession of stolen property and shoplifting.
The Latest
ColumnistsJul 08, 2025
Peter Smith: Why Jewelers Struggle With Premium PricingLuxury brands charge thousands for their shoes and handbags. Jewelers pricing diamond products should take note, Peter Smith writes.
IndependentsJul 08, 2025
David Rotenberg of David Craig Jewelers Dies at 79Rotenberg was an active member of the American Gem Society and an accomplished appraiser who also worked with therapy dogs at a hospital.
Brought to you by
Investing in the Next Generation of Bench JewelersThe Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.
TechnologyJul 08, 2025
‘Diamond Divas’ Brings the Showroom to Social Media Reality SeriesIt 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 QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Policies & IssuesJul 08, 2025
SMO Gold Launches New FoundationIn its inaugural year, the SMO Foundation will focus on supporting two organizations in West Africa and one in South America.
Policies & IssuesJul 07, 2025
Higher Tariffs Set to Take Effect Aug. 1, Officials SayThe announcement comes just as the 90-day freeze on the “reciprocal” tariffs nears its end, giving countries more time to negotiate.
Brought to you by
Jewelers of America is Headed to Las Vegas for JCK 2025The countdown is on for the JCK Las Vegas Show and JA is pulling out all the stops.
MajorsJul 07, 2025
Natural Diamond Council CEO David Kellie To Step DownKellie, who joined the organization in 2019, will remain in his role through the end of 2025.
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.
Supplier BulletinJul 03, 2025
Protect Your Customers and Your BusinessSponsored by the Gemological Institute of America
MajorsJul 03, 2025
Brilliant Earth Names Tennis Star Madison Keys as Its New AmbassadorThe 2025 Australian Open champion is the jewelry brand’s first athlete ambassador.
MajorsJul 03, 2025
Muse Sets Up Shop in Nordstrom’s New Jewelry HallThe West Village jewelry boutique’s new shop-in-shop is the cornerstone of Nordstrom’s revamped jewelry hall.
SourcingJul 03, 2025
SRK Announces Its Natural Diamonds Are Now Carbon-NegativeThis past year, the manufacturer said it recorded below-zero emissions per carat of natural diamond.
CollectionsJul 03, 2025
Piece of the Week: A Firework of Diamonds From YepremThe brand’s “Golden Strada” statement necklace features round, marquise, and pear diamonds that sparkle like Fourth of July fireworks.
MajorsJul 02, 2025
Boucheron Looks to LA for First West Coast FlagshipLocated on Rodeo Drive, the store’s design was inspired by Hollywood and Los Angeles culture.
MajorsJul 02, 2025
Marco Bicego Opens Milan FlagshipThe new location continues the brand’s celebration of its 25th anniversary.
WatchesJul 02, 2025
Chrono24 Revamps Brand, Launches New CampaignThe online watch marketplace’s “Time Is Our Thing” campaign highlights the importance of time.
SourcingJul 02, 2025
Bernadette Mack Joins Gem Legacy as Executive DirectorShe will oversee strategic planning, fundraising, industry partnerships, and the launch of the Gem Legacy Campus in Tanzania.
CrimeJul 02, 2025
Pandora, Amazon Partner to Uncover Counterfeit Jewelry NetworkWorking with Amazon’s Counterfeit Crimes Unit and law enforcement, Pandora helped to shut down a large-scale counterfeit network in China.
MajorsJul 01, 2025
Cast Closes Business, Plans for RelaunchThe jewelry company has closed its three California brick-and-mortar stores, as well as its online shop, for now.
Events & AwardsJul 01, 2025
William Goldberg Diamonds, FIT Partner for Apprenticeship ProgramThe company is providing the opportunity for an FIT student to work alongside master diamond cutter Willie Lopez in its workshop.
IndependentsJul 01, 2025
Elie Hannoush, Founder of Hannoush Jewelers, Dies at 73He is remembered for his successful entrepreneurship, generosity, and dedication to his family.
MajorsJul 01, 2025
Claire’s Is Looking for a Buyer, Report SaysThe jewelry store chain has reportedly been struggling with costs related to tariffs as well as tough retail competition.
TrendsJul 01, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Red Hot RubiesWelcome warm summer days with red hot rubies perfectly chosen as July’s birthstone.
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.
ColumnistsJun 30, 2025
The Smart Lab: Why Q3 Is the Secret Weapon For Holiday Jewelry SalesThe best time to prepare for the holiday season is right now, according to columnist Emmanuel Raheb.
