AuctionsMay 15, 2026
American Collector Ponies Up Almost $17K for John Wayne’s RingThe Western star’s 14-karat gold signet ring sold for six times its low estimate following a bidding war at U.K. auction house Elmwood’s.
CrimeMay 03, 2019
Robbery Crew Charged in Heists of Jewelry Salespeople
They allegedly robbed wholesale jewelers after watching them for days, stealing more than $1 million worth of goods over the past 18 months.
Los Angeles—A federal grand jury in Los Angeles has indicted five members of a robbery crew who allegedly netted $1 million in jewelry through a series of “well-planned” heists.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California, the group committed “sophisticated” heists by following wholesale jewelers—traveling jewelry salespeople or those exhibiting at jewelry trade shows—and bank customers, at times for days, and then robbing them.
The thieves stole more than $1 million worth of jewelry and tens of thousands of dollars in cash over the past 18 months.
The five defendants have been identified as:
— Federico Santiago Quiroz Lucca, 51, of Los Angeles;
— Roberto Melendez Falcon, 51, of Los Angeles;
— Roberto Alonso Castellanos, 48, of Pomona, California;
— Jose Oscar Cupitre Nuñez, 47, of Australia; and
— Jose Manuel Lopez Molina, 45, of Colombia.
Each man is charged with participating in a conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery. Lucca, the crew’s alleged leader, and Nuñez also both face a count of interference with commerce by robbery.
According to an affidavit, the defendants surveilled and and then robbed jewelry salespeople and bank customers in Los Angeles, San Francisco and Denver between October 2017 and April 2019.
Lucca allegedly led and organized the crew’s activities, enlisting help from Colombian nationals, who traveled to Los Angeles to take part.
Court documents show the heists all followed a similar pattern. A member of the crew known as a “scout” would identify a victim who was likely to be carrying jewelry or cash. The victims typically were doing business at standalone jewelry stores or in malls in Orange County, California, the Jewelry District in downtown Los Angeles, or at jewelry trade shows.
The scout would then follow the victim and wait for an opportunity when they could rob her or him.
The group allegedly followed victims to locations like gas stations and hotels, and then employed a ruse—such as puncturing their car tires and then posing as a Good Samaritan—or simply used force to rob them.
For example, court papers state that on Feb. 8, 2018, Lucca spent four hours following a traveling jewelry salesman who was making rounds to jewelry stores in Orange County.
When he returned to his car after a stop in Cypress, he was violently pushed from behind and he fell into his car door. The thieves made off with his bag containing approximately $400,000 in jewelry.
All five
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
men are currently in federal custody after being arrested in April. They are scheduled for arraignment in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles today.
If convicted, Lucca and Nuñez would face a statutory maximum sentence of 40 years in federal prison, and the others would face statutory maximum sentences of 20 years in prison.
If convicted, Lucca and Nuñez would face a statutory maximum sentence of 40 years in federal prison, and the others would face statutory maximum sentences of 20 years in prison.
More on Crime
The Latest
Events & AwardsMay 15, 2026
JA, MJSA To Sponsor Roundtable at TJSThe discussion, "Rebuilding the Jewelry Workforce," will take place on Saturday, May 16, in Troy, Michigan.
SourcingMay 15, 2026
State of Diamonds: The Way Forward for Natural DiamondsThe jewelry industry is reassessing its positioning as Gen Z reshapes the retail landscape and lab grown continues to gain market share.
Brought to you by
How Modern Training Is Becoming a Competitive Advantage for Jewelry RetailersWith the trade and customer trust in mind, GIA® developed NextGem™ – on-demand training designed specifically for retail.
AuctionsMay 14, 2026
White Diamonds Lead Sotheby’s Auction, Blue Diamond Does Not SellA matching pair of 18.38-carat, D-color diamonds from Botswana’s Jwaneng mine sold for $3.3 million, the top lot of the jewelry auction.
Weekly QuizMay 14, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Supplier BulletinMay 14, 2026
A Diamond Is Forever Continues Desert Diamonds – Bridal ReinvigoratedSponsored by A Diamond Is Forever
SourcingMay 14, 2026
State of Colored Stones: The Spirit of Young American Gemstone CuttersThe next generation of lapidarists are entrepreneurial, engaged online, and see the craft as a means for artistic expression.
Brought to you by
Discover Timeless Treasures: A Showcase of Antique Jewelry & Timepieces in Las VegasGain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.
AuctionsMay 14, 2026
‘Ocean Dream’ Makes Waves at Christie’s, Fetching $17MIt was the second auction appearance for the fancy vivid blue-green diamond, which sold for $7.8 million at Christie’s Geneva 12 years ago.
IndependentsMay 13, 2026
New Orleans Jeweler Closing Canal Place StoreJack Sutton Fine Jewelry is closing its store inside the downtown shopping center after 40 years in business.
SourcingMay 13, 2026
Smithsonian Acquires ‘Winston Red’ Diamond PaintingReena Ahluwalia’s painting of the rare red diamond is the first contemporary painting to join the National Gem Collection.
TrendsMay 13, 2026
State of Design: Only the Innovative Will SurviveThe price of gold has risen, affecting the number of pieces designers make, the materials they use, and how they position themselves.
ColumnistsMay 12, 2026
It’s Official: We’re Getting ‘Brain Rot’ From Watching Short-Form Videos Peter Smith gives tips on leading meetings, developing marketing, and making trade show appointments in the age of short attention spans.
CollectionsMay 12, 2026
Jessica McCormack Debuts Antique Coin-Inspired Medallions for SummerThe 11-piece “Medallions” capsule collection features five motifs: a crying eye, a heart on fire, a spiral, a flower, and a swallow.
IndependentsMay 12, 2026
State of Retail: 6 Things Retailers Should Know About Consumers TodayFrom Gen Z’s view of luxury to “doom spending,” these are the six consumer trends to note this year.
Events & AwardsMay 12, 2026
The Tiffany & Co. x CFDA Jewelry Designer Award Is BackThe partners have announced the second cycle of the program, which has expanded to include a $25,000 student scholarship.
IndependentsMay 11, 2026
Kansas Jeweler Closing After 70 YearsThe owners of Staats Jewelers are heading into retirement.
TrendsMay 11, 2026
Former Macy’s CEO Joins Signet Jewelers BoardJeffrey Gennette, who retired in 2024 after 41 years with Macy’s, is the newest member of the jewelry retailer’s board of directors.
TrendsMay 11, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: Lucky May May babies are lucky to have emeralds, a gemstone admired for centuries, as their birthstone, writes Amanda Gizzi.
TechnologyMay 11, 2026
Clientbook’s New Tool Helps Jewelers Plan In-Store EventsThe new module allows retailers to plan, promote, and measure the success of events from a single dashboard.
Lab-GrownMay 08, 2026
NDC Publicly Criticizes Pandora Over ‘Misleading’ Natural Diamond ClaimsNDC said in an open letter that Pandora’s statements about the carbon footprint of lab grown versus natural diamonds are inaccurate.
SourcingMay 08, 2026
Ronnie VanderLinden Takes Over as WDC President The diamantaire and industry leader succeeds Feriel Zerouki and said he will focus on being a “champion” for natural diamonds.
TrendsMay 08, 2026
Rihanna Chooses ‘Desert Diamonds’ for 2026 Met GalaShe wore our Piece of the Week, Glenn Spiro’s “Old Moghul Golconda” earrings, featuring fancy brown-yellow diamonds totaling 51.90 carats.
Events & AwardsMay 08, 2026
JA Announces 2026 CASE Award WinnersTwo pieces were named “Best in Show,” one from the retail category and one from the supplier category.
FinancialsMay 07, 2026
Brilliant Earth Appeals to Higher-Income Shoppers in Q1The jewelry retailer noted resilience among its higher-end customers while demand softened for its lower-priced offerings.
AuctionsMay 07, 2026
‘Spectacular’ Kashmir Sapphire Headlines Heritage Spring Jewelry SaleLed by the 6.59-carat sapphire, the sale garnered $9.7 million, a record total for a Heritage jewelry auction.
MajorsMay 07, 2026
Gannon & Scott Names New Regional Account ExecutiveIn his new role, sales specialist Billy Welshoff will focus on the eastern United States.
