Anne Hathaway was seen wearing the toggle necklace three times while filming scenes for “The Devil Wears Prada 2.”
Ringleader of Robbery Crew Gets 4 Years Behind Bars
Federico Santiago Quiroz Lucca led and organized heists that targeted traveling jewelry salespeople.
Santa Ana, Calif.—The ringleader of a robbery crew that targeted traveling jewelry salespeople and caused at least $835,00 in losses has been handed his prison sentence.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California, Federico Santiago Quiroz Lucca, 52, was sentenced to 45 months in federal prison and ordered to pay $835,000 in restitution for his role in the jewelry heists.
He was sentenced Aug. 28 via video conference after pleading guilty in December to one count of conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery.
Between October 2017 and April 2019, authorities say Lucca and his co-conspirators surveilled and robbed, or planned to rob, multiple jewelry salespeople and bank customers in the Los Angeles, San Francisco Bay and Denver areas.
Lucca led and organized the crew’s activities, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said, enlisting help from several Colombian nationals who traveled to L.A. to participate in the planning and robberies.
His apartment also served as a base of operations and meeting place where some co-conspirators lived and equipment and stolen goods were stored.
The crew’s heists followed a pattern, starting with a member known as a “scout” identifying a victim likely to be carrying jewelry or cash.
The victims typically were jewelers conducting business at retail stores or malls in Orange County, the Jewelry District in downtown L.A., or at trade shows.
The scout would then follow the victim and wait for an opportunity when they could rob them.
The group followed victims to gas stations and hotels and then employed a ruse—such as puncturing the salesperson’s car tires and then posing as a Good Samaritan offering to help them—or simply used force to rob them.
Lucca and four co-conspirators were arrested in early to mid-April 2019 and indicted later that month.
Three of the co-conspirators—Jose Manuel Lopez Molina, 48; Roberto Alonso Castellanos, 51; and Jose Oscar Cupitre Nuñez, 48—pleaded guilty to the same charge as Lucca: conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery.
Molina was sentenced to one year and one day in prison, which was time served, so he has been released, the U.S. Attorney’s Office told National Jeweler, while Castellanos was sentenced to 30 months in prison and ordered to pay $413,000 in restitution.
Nuñez’s sentencing hearing is scheduled for Oct. 26.
A fifth defendant, Roberto Melendez Falcon, 54, has pleaded not guilty. His trial is scheduled for Jan. 26, 2021 in Santa Ana, California.
The Latest

Jewellery & Gem World Hong Kong is scheduled for Sept. 15 to 21, and buyer pre-registration will be available until Sept. 7.

Renovations at Tiffany & Co. stores ate into profits in the company’s watch and jewelry division.

As a leading global jewelry supplier, Rio Grande is rapidly expanding and developing new solutions to meet the needs of jewelers worldwide.

Mark and Candy Udell of London Jewelers will receive the honor at the 24th annual Gem Awards next March.


While struggles continue at the mining and trading end of the pipeline, consumer demand for diamond jewelry is holding steady.

The “Fantasia” jewelry collection turns the intaglio animals from her “Close Encounters” collection into 3D characters.

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

The special Classic Avi Chronograph 42 with an Eagles-green dial is limited to 59 pieces, a nod to the Super Bowl Philadelphia just won.

The “Kashmir” collection features centuries-old craft techniques made in collaboration with the region’s master papier-mâché artisans.

Creative Director Erica Bianchini shared why the jeweler is looking to expand into the U.S. and how it’s putting Canadian craftsmanship on the map.

Two Los Angeles Fire Department stations plan to use the donations to upgrade their equipment and tools.

Next week, the auction house will kick off a selling exhibition of jewelry by British artist Hannah Martin and Coldplay’s Guy Berryman.

“Stolen: Heist of the Century” is based on “Flawless,” the book about the middle-of-the-night theft, and will debut on Netflix in August.

Emmanuel Raheb shares the top five gifting moments outside of major holidays that jewelers should build marketing campaigns around.

The wholesale trade show’s Luxury Lifestyle section will showcase established and emerging jewelry designers.

As demand for custom jewelry grows, the company is expanding its services to support retailers.

The mid-year conference for jewelry and watch appraisers is slated for Aug. 9 to 10 on Zoom.

Graduated stones make for elevated tennis-style pieces and dramatic statement necklaces.

Nominations in the categories of Jewelry Design, Media Excellence, and Retail Innovation will be accepted through July 30.

He retired last month after 28 years traveling the world to source the very best gemstones for his family’s jewelry business, Oscar Heyman.

The charm necklace features six nautical charms of shells and coral that founder Christina Puchi collected on Florida’s beaches.

The organization elected its youngest vice president as it looks to draw in fresh talent.

Campbell joins the company as vice president of business development while Liebler is the new vice president of operations.

The medals feature a split-texture design highlighting the Games’ first time being hosted by two cities and the athletes’ journeys.

Sponsored by The INSTORE Jewelry Show 2025

Globally, travel and transportation brands reigned, while in the U.S., alcoholic beverage companies and a lingerie brand took the top spots.