MajorsJun 08, 2026
Stuller Expands Selection of Lab-Grown Diamonds, Demi-Fine JewelryThe jewelry manufacturer has added Taylor Swift-esque diamond shapes, and more silver, gold vermeil, and gold-plated jewelry.
CrimeNov 17, 2020
Ohio Man Arrested for $7M Heist at Wisconsin Jewelry Store
James Patrick Quinn allegedly took part in the burglary of Treiber & Straub Jewelers four years ago.
Brookfield, Wis.—An Ohio man has been arrested and charged for his role in a $7 million heist at a Wisconsin jewelry store four years ago.
According to an affidavit filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, James Patrick Quinn, 55, was involved in the burglary of Treiber & Straub Jewelers in the Milwaukee suburb of Brookfield in July 2016.
The affidavit states the burglars entered the store by cutting phone and cable lines, removing light bulbs from exterior lights, spraying foam onto external audio alarms and then prying open the back door.
The suspects disabled the interior alarm system and cut a hole into the vault using sledgehammers and power tools, taking more than $7 million in jewelry, diamonds, watches and other items.
Authorities allege Quinn and his accomplices likely planned the burglary a year in advance. In 2015, the jewelry store called the Brookfield Police Department to report seeing two men in surveillance footage carrying flashlights and looking into one of the store’s windows.
The camera caught a close-up of one of the men as he peered in.
Nearly three years later, in July 2019, an FBI agent traveled to Youngstown, Ohio with a Brookfield Police Department detective to meet with local law enforcement officials there regarding the burglary.
They showed the officials stills from the surveillance footage, and they were able to identify one of the subjects as Quinn, an individual known to law enforcement as a professional burglar.
According to the affidavit, Quinn has a criminal history, with 11 arrests between 1993 and 2016, including multiple charges of theft, breaking and entering, possession of burglary tools, criminal trespass, burglary and receiving stolen property.
A second suspect was identified only as “F.S.”
A warrant was issued for authorities to take DNA swabs of Quinn and F.S. for comparison with what was found at Treiber & Straub Jewelers in 2016.
They tracked Quinn down for those purposes at his Austintown, Ohio address.
He fled when they tried to approach him, but was caught after a brief chase, according to the FBI agent’s statement, and the swab warrant was executed though no match has yet been found.
During the chase, Quinn dropped a white plastic bag containing three paper envelopes with writing on them indicating diamonds’ carat weight, cut and clarity and three GIA report numbers that coincided with stones taken during the July 2016 burglary.
A later search warrant of his residence also revealed a loupe and two books—“Diamonds” and “Superthief,” a book about career criminal Phil Christopher—among other items, the affidavit states.
The call log on a cell phone found at Quinn’s residence also showed multiple calls between Youngstown, Ohio and Brookfield, Wisconsin, as well as a few locations on the route between the two.
Based on the evidence found from July 2019 onward, the affadavit states, Quinn was arrested on Nov. 10. He was released on a $20,000 bond Tuesday.
His next court hearing is scheduled for Nov. 23.
According to an affidavit filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, James Patrick Quinn, 55, was involved in the burglary of Treiber & Straub Jewelers in the Milwaukee suburb of Brookfield in July 2016.
The affidavit states the burglars entered the store by cutting phone and cable lines, removing light bulbs from exterior lights, spraying foam onto external audio alarms and then prying open the back door.
The suspects disabled the interior alarm system and cut a hole into the vault using sledgehammers and power tools, taking more than $7 million in jewelry, diamonds, watches and other items.
Authorities allege Quinn and his accomplices likely planned the burglary a year in advance. In 2015, the jewelry store called the Brookfield Police Department to report seeing two men in surveillance footage carrying flashlights and looking into one of the store’s windows.
The camera caught a close-up of one of the men as he peered in.
Nearly three years later, in July 2019, an FBI agent traveled to Youngstown, Ohio with a Brookfield Police Department detective to meet with local law enforcement officials there regarding the burglary.
They showed the officials stills from the surveillance footage, and they were able to identify one of the subjects as Quinn, an individual known to law enforcement as a professional burglar.
According to the affidavit, Quinn has a criminal history, with 11 arrests between 1993 and 2016, including multiple charges of theft, breaking and entering, possession of burglary tools, criminal trespass, burglary and receiving stolen property.
A second suspect was identified only as “F.S.”
A warrant was issued for authorities to take DNA swabs of Quinn and F.S. for comparison with what was found at Treiber & Straub Jewelers in 2016.
They tracked Quinn down for those purposes at his Austintown, Ohio address.
He fled when they tried to approach him, but was caught after a brief chase, according to the FBI agent’s statement, and the swab warrant was executed though no match has yet been found.
During the chase, Quinn dropped a white plastic bag containing three paper envelopes with writing on them indicating diamonds’ carat weight, cut and clarity and three GIA report numbers that coincided with stones taken during the July 2016 burglary.
A later search warrant of his residence also revealed a loupe and two books—“Diamonds” and “Superthief,” a book about career criminal Phil Christopher—among other items, the affidavit states.
The call log on a cell phone found at Quinn’s residence also showed multiple calls between Youngstown, Ohio and Brookfield, Wisconsin, as well as a few locations on the route between the two.
Based on the evidence found from July 2019 onward, the affadavit states, Quinn was arrested on Nov. 10. He was released on a $20,000 bond Tuesday.
His next court hearing is scheduled for Nov. 23.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
The Latest
SourcingJun 08, 2026
Sally Morrison to Depart De Beers This Summer Morrison has been marketing diamonds on and off since the early 2000s and said she is leaving to “pursue new projects.”
TrendsJun 08, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: June’s Birthstone TrioThose born in June can celebrate with pearl, alexandrite, and moonstone jewelry.
Brought to you by
All Eyes on Gold Prices. Alternatives to Look For. And What to BEWARE of in VegasAs gold prices rise, today’s retailers are looking for alternatives at prices that will appeal to wider audiences.
TechnologyJun 08, 2026
Overnight Mountings Launches Ring Builder PlatformThe platform allows retailers to guide clients through a customizable engagement ring buying experience in a branded interface.
Weekly QuizJun 05, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
IndependentsJun 05, 2026
Pennsylvania Jewelry Store To Close After 79 YearsJim Springer, owner of Dunkelberger’s Fine Jewelry, is heading into retirement.
SurveysJun 05, 2026
Consumers to Cut Back on Spending Amid Rising Prices, Survey Shows When conducting its May consumer confidence survey, The Conference Board asked extra questions about consumers’ budgeting strategies.
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.
CollectionsJun 05, 2026
Rebel Jewelry’s Charm Symbolizes Perseverance for Pride MonthThe “Tunnel” charm, our Piece of the Week, celebrates Pride Month with its design inspired by hope and the light at the end of the tunnel.
SourcingJun 05, 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.
AuctionsJun 04, 2026
Treasures from Maurice Tempelsman’s ‘Marvelous’ Life Head to AuctionUp for auction at Sotheby’s, the collection of Tempelsman’s personal effects includes a Cartier Tank watch Jackie O. gifted him.
CollectionsJun 04, 2026
Buddha Mama to Spend the Summer in AspenThe Miami-based fine jewelry brand will host its first summer residency in the Colorado mountain town from June 5 to Aug. 23.
MajorsJun 04, 2026
AGS Honors Late Peter Yantzer, Holds Time Capsule CeremonyThe organization also announced its international board of directors for the 2026-2027 term.
MajorsJun 04, 2026
Neiman Marcus’ Downtown Dallas Store to Close in SeptemberSaks Global confirmed the closure this week, spelling the end for a store that’s been part of downtown Dallas for more than 100 years.
ColumnistsJun 03, 2026
Peter Smith: When Top Talent Leaves and What It Says About YouSmith discusses how managers should handle a top performer's exit, warning that a poor response could have a lasting impact.
GradingJun 03, 2026
GIA’s Tracr Investment Is First Step Toward Industry-Owned PlatformThe Gemological Institute of America is now a 30 percent stakeholder in Tracr, the De Beers-backed blockchain for diamonds.
WatchesJun 03, 2026
The 1916 Company Taking Pre-Owned Rolexes on the Road, AgainThe retailer is bringing Rolex Certified Pre-Owned watches to five U.S. cities in 2026 for collectors to see, try on, and purchase.
IndependentsJun 03, 2026
Jessica Alba Is the New Face of Gabriel & Co.The actress and entrepreneur stars in the jeweler’s new campaign that celebrates life’s quiet moments.
TrendsJun 03, 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.
FinancialsJun 02, 2026
Signet Jewelers’ Q1 Sales Up 2% As It Focuses on ‘Core Four’ The jewelry retailer is zeroing in on Zales, Jared, Kay Jewelers, and Blue Nile as it looks to create unique brand identities for each.
SourcingJun 02, 2026
Leader Appointed for Botswana’s Diamonds for Development Fund Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, a development economist, will head the fund created to help Botswana diversify its economy.
WatchesJun 02, 2026
Watch Industry Veteran James Marks Joins Sotheby’sSotheby’s has appointed the former Phillips executive as its global head of private sales and retail in its watches division.
AuctionsJun 02, 2026
Sotheby’s to Auction 10-Carat Blue Diamond, 1960s Harry Winston Necklace A private collection of five Paraíba tourmalines also will be up for sale at Sotheby’s High Jewelry auction in New York, scheduled for June 16.
IndependentsJun 02, 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 & AwardsJun 01, 2026
Design Atelier Brands Have a Big Night at Emotional Couture Design AwardsThe show started by honoring Mildred Marcano, ended with a tearful Beth Anne Bonanno, and recognized a dozen-plus designers in between.
SourcingJun 01, 2026
RapNet Rebranding as Rapaport TradeThe revamped online diamond marketplace will feature pricing intelligence and data-driven tools for more efficient buying and selling.
SourcingJun 01, 2026
Gemfields’ Higher-Quality Emerald Auction Achieves $26.8MThe miner said demand for higher-quality emeralds is stable, but there is notable caution in the market.
