Crime

Arrests Made in LA Watch Robbery, Multi-City Jewelry Thefts

CrimeMay 19, 2021

Arrests Made in LA Watch Robbery, Multi-City Jewelry Thefts

Four suspects—three in the armed robbery of a jeweler at a restaurant, and one serial jewelry thief—have been detained in recent months.

New York—Several arrests have been made in recent months in cases involving a stolen Richard Mille watch and a suspect wanted for thefts in more than 20 stores. 
 
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Central District of California, three men have been arrested for allegedly committing an armed robbery at a Beverly Hills restaurant in March
 
A press release from the office said Malik Lamont Powell, 20, Khai McGhee (aka Cameron Smith), 18, and Marquise Anthony Gardon, 30, were arrested on a federal criminal complaint that charges the three Los Angeles men with one count of conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery. 
 
An affidavit filed with the complaint explains that on the afternoon of March 4, an armed robbery happened at Il Pastaio restaurant in Beverly Hills, during which time a restaurant patron was held at gunpoint while three men robbed him of his Richard Mille wristwatch worth about $500,000. 
 
A struggle for the gun ensued and approximately two rounds were fired, hitting another patron in the leg. 
 
The gun was ultimately dropped on the ground during the struggle, and the robbers fled the scene with the watch. 
 
Based on video surveillance footage and witness statements, officials believe five individuals were involved in the crew that committed the robbery. 
 
Powell and McGhee have been identified as two of the three robbers; their arraignments are scheduled for June 3. 
 
Gardon is believed to be the driver of the getaway car, according to the affidavit; his arraignment is scheduled for June 17. 

 Related stories will be right here … 
The men face a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison.
 
A spokesperson for the office said the watch had not yet been recovered and that there is no new information at this time regarding the remaining two suspects. 
 
Additionally, Oklahoma police report an alleged serial jewelry thief was arrested in Enid in March. 
 
According to the incident report, on March 18, two Enid police officers responded to a call from a Zales jewelry store about a man inside the location who looked like a suspect wanted in multiple thefts at Zales stores throughout Texas and Oklahoma. 
 
While one officer went outside with the man—he gave the name Christopher Johnson but was later identified as Quincy Boyton—the other spoke to the store manager, who said the stores had been in communication about the suspect’s appearance and method: asking an employee to see a piece and then snatching it out of his or her hands before fleeing. 
 
The officer also got in touch with Signet’s regional loss prevention manager, who told police the company has 23 revolving cases for which Boyton was the identified suspect of each.  
 
The estimated total of the thefts is about $337,000. 
 
Boyton was arrested in Enid for trying to run from the police and giving a false identity; he has been charged in Garfield County with burglary, obstructing an officer, and possession of a firearm as a felon. 
 
Police in Edmond, Oklahoma identified the suspect they were looking for in a jewelry store robbery as the same man. 

The Latest

Rough diamonds from De Beers’ Gahcho Kue mine in Canada
SourcingJul 21, 2026
Anglo Reportedly Selects Gareth Penny’s Consortium as Top Bidder for De Beers

A Botswana government official told lawmakers Anglo has selected The Global Diamond Consortium, an entity chaired by Penny, to buy De Beers.

Stock image of shipping containers
Policies & IssuesJul 20, 2026
Tariffs on Brazil to Increase But Rough Gemstones Exempt

The new tariff, imposed after a Trump administration study, is 25 percent and will stack on top of existing tariffs.

Vhernier Freccia High Jewelry Necklace
CollectionsJul 20, 2026
Vhernier Transforms ‘Freccia’ Collection Into High Jewelry

The collection from 2014 has been reinterpreted into high jewelry with its signature triangular-shaped elements.

Brought-To-By-Article-Top-Image.jpg
Brought to you by
Wedding Band Trends 2026: Personalization Takes Center Stage

Colored gemstones, artisan finishes, mixed metals, and meaningful details are shaping demand in bridal jewelry.

Krista Collins Walters
MajorsJul 20, 2026
Krista Collins Walters Promoted to Publisher of Instore

She will also take on the role of vice president of jewelry for SmartWork Media, a newly created position.

Weekly QuizJul 17, 2026
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
Attendees at the Jewelry Symposium
Events & AwardsJul 20, 2026
TJS Accepting Speaker Proposals for 2027 Event

Organizers are looking for presentations on topics like manufacturing, technology and research, bench work, gemstones, and sustainability.

HOWL Frida Venetian Glass Collar
CollectionsJul 17, 2026
HOWL Taps Shailene Woodley for ‘Home Sweet Home’ Campaign

Woodley is seen in the campaign wearing our Piece of the Week, the “Frida” collar featuring 13 pieces of hand-carved Venetian glass.

DCA-NJ-article-1872x1052-060826.jpg
Brought to you by
Building the Future of Jewelry Retail: DCA Expands Education, Leadership Development, and Workforce Solutions

DCA is preparing the next generation of professionals by supporting workforce development, leadership growth, and career advancement.

A diamond ring in a jewelry box
SourcingJul 17, 2026
U.K. Woman Pays £5 for £15K Diamond Ring at Car Boot Sale

A WeBuyVintage jewelry expert uncovered how much the flea market find was actually worth.

Unveiling Rarities
SourcingJul 17, 2026
Diamond Dealer Jeff Pancis Pens Memoir

The founder of natural colored diamond wholesaler Pancis Gems shares stories from his five decades in the industry.

Gem Awards 2027 Logo
Events & AwardsJul 17, 2026
Gem Awards Opens 2027 Nomination Period

Submissions for the milestone 25th annual Gem Awards will be accepted across three categories from now through July 31.

Guzema Founder and Creative Director Valeriya Guzema and Co-Owner and CEO Mariana Lenha
EditorsJul 16, 2026
Q&A: Guzema’s Co-Owners On Its US Expansion, 10-Year Anniversary

Valeriya Guzema and Mariana Lenha look back on the last decade and discuss the Ukrainian brand’s first U.S. store.

Main camp at Ekati Diamond Mine
SourcingJul 16, 2026
Ekati to Close, Leaving Canada With One Diamond Mine

The diamond mine, which opened nearly 30 years ago in Canada’s Northwest Territories, is expected to shut down by mid-August.

Necklace from Vhernier’s “Freccia” high jewelry collection
FinancialsJul 16, 2026
Richemont’s Jewelry Sales Soar for the Seventh Quarter in a Row

Jewelry sales for the company, which owns Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Vhernier, and Buccellati, rose 21 percent in the first quarter.

Grace Barden
Events & AwardsJul 16, 2026
MJSA Mentor & Apprenticeship Program Certifies First Advanced Apprentice Graduate

The graduate, Grace Barden, credited the program with helping her secure a job as a bench jeweler.

Jewelers of Louisiana 80th Annual Convention Logo
Events & AwardsJul 16, 2026
Jewelers of Louisiana to Host 80th Convention

The event, scheduled for next month in New Orleans, will include dinner, a custom jewelry design contest, and education sessions.

Lucara diamond
SourcingJul 15, 2026
1,305-Carat Diamond Recovered from Mine in Botswana

The yet-to-be named stone is the 10th diamond weighing more than 1,000 carats to come out of Lucara’s Karowe mine.

Barry Berman
IndependentsJul 15, 2026
New Jersey Jeweler Barry Berman Dies at 81

The founder of Fords Jewelers, Berman is remembered for his love of connecting with his community.

Watches of Switzerland Mall of America store
FinancialsJul 15, 2026
Watches of Switzerland’s US Sales Jump 18%, Declines to Comment on Sale Report

The watch and jewelry retailer had a strong fiscal year despite what its CEO described as a “complex operating backdrop.”

Hamptons Jewelry Show exhibitors Maison Mèrenor, Jochen Leën, Studio Javo
Events & AwardsJul 15, 2026
Hamptons Jewelry Show to Return in July

The open-to-the-public luxury jewelry and timepiece show, in its second year, is slated for July 23-26.

Pomellato Eye of Tanzanite Necklace and Pin-Up Ring
CollectionsJul 15, 2026
Pomellato’s New High Jewelry Is Liberating

Bold color, expressive gem-setting, and sculptural form define the three chapters that make up “Stile Libero.”

Foundrae London Store Showcases
IndependentsJul 14, 2026
Foundrae Opens First Standalone Store Outside US

The New York-based jewelry brand has expanded overseas, opening a store in London’s Mayfair district.

The Retail Smiths Principal Partner and National Jeweler columnist Sherry Smith
ColumnistsJul 14, 2026
Sherry Smith: What Today’s Jewelry Consumer Is Telling Us

Rising revenue does not automatically mean a healthy business, particularly in the current economic landscape, Smith writes.

Mindi Mond New York emerald shoulder duster earrings
TrendsJul 14, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: Shoulder Dusters

These long, fluid drop earrings are sure to catch the eye.

Aerial view of Amazon
Events & AwardsJul 14, 2026
Conference on Mining, Sustainability Kicks Off in NYC

Initiatives in Art and Culture is hosting its 16th annual Gold and Diamond Conference, with the theme of “Resilience.”

Stephanie Gottlieb Casual Carats Lab-Grown Dimond and Silicone Rings
Lab-GrownJul 13, 2026
Stephanie Gottlieb Changes Her Mind on Lab-Grown Diamonds

The designer, who once said she’d never sell lab-grown diamonds, debuted two capsule collections designed to be fun and easy to wear.

File photo of the Venetia Diamond Mine in South Africa
SourcingJul 13, 2026
De Beers Announces Potential Layoffs, 2-Year Production Pause at Venetia

The diamond miner and marketer is undergoing another round of cost-cutting measures ahead of its sale by Anglo American.

×

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