SourcingSep 09, 2025
Anglo American to Merge With Canadian Copper Miner Anglo plans to merge with Teck Resources Ltd. to form Anglo Teck. The deal changes nothing about its plans to offload De Beers.
CrimeNov 30, 2016
Calif. Jeweler Pleads Guilty in Scam Targeting Marines
Randy Abalkhad, the former owner of Romano’s Jewelers stores, pleaded guilty to charges of identity theft and fraud.
San Diego--The former owner of Romano’s Jewelers stores pleaded guilty to charges of identity theft and fraud in a California court this week for his role in a scheme that targeted U.S. Marines who shopped at his stores.
Tanya Sierra, a spokeswoman for the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office, confirmed that Ramil Abalkhad pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit identity theft, theft by false pretense and identity theft with intent to defraud.
He also was ordered to pay $55,000 in restitution to victims. Sierra said if he pays the full amount by the scheduled date of his sentencing, Feb. 21, 2017, he will be sentenced to probation or up to 365 days in jail, to be determined by the judge.
If he does not pay the full amount, he faces three years in county jail, with the possibility of the sentence being shortened for good behavior, she said.
Abalkhad, who is known as Randy, former Romano’s Jewelers store manager Carlos Torres and former store employee Nellie Cha Noland first were charged in the case in March 2015 in California Superior Court, following a criminal investigation by the U.S. Marine Corps.
According to the original complaint, Abalkhad told Noland to obtain the social security numbers of active duty military personnel who were customers of Romano’s Jewelers and had credit accounts with the store.
Then, Abalkhad allegedly told Noland to ask a Marine named Kymani Tate to use the social security numbers to reset the passwords of other Marines’ Defense Finance Account Service (DFAS) MyPay accounts. MyPay functions like a bank account and can be directly linked to other financial accounts so money can be withdrawn to pay bills.
After the passwords were changed, unauthorized payments were made to Romano’s Jewelers via the MyPay accounts, court papers state.
Despite the accusations made in court papers, Abalkhad’s attorney A. David Youssefyeh said Tuesday that his client chose to plead guilty in the case only after learning the details of his employees’ actions because “he felt that pleading guilty for his lack of supervision of his employees and offering to pay the losses sustained was his duty, regardless of his personal involvement in what happened.”
Online case information provided by the San Diego County District Attorney shows that Torres, who pleaded guilty in the case in September, and Noland, who was the first to enter a plea in the case, also are scheduled to be sentenced on Feb. 21.
Sierra said Torres and Noland both face up to a year in prison and three years of probation.
While a number of Romano’s Jewelers stores have closed in recent years, the retailer’s website indicates that there are still four stores under the nameplate in operation.
Youssefyeh said that Abalkhad is not involved in the management of the remaining Romano’s stores.
While a number of Romano’s Jewelers stores have closed in recent years, the retailer’s website indicates that there are still four stores under the nameplate in operation.
Youssefyeh said that Abalkhad is not involved in the management of the remaining Romano’s stores.
More on Crime
The Latest
AuctionsSep 09, 2025
‘The Mellon Blue’ to Return to Auction, This Time at Christie’s The 9.51-carat fancy vivid blue diamond, which set two world auction records at Sotheby’s in 2014, is estimated to fetch up to $30 million.
AuctionsSep 09, 2025
Phillips Names Dianne Batista Head of Jewels, New YorkThe industry veteran joins the auction house as it looks to solidify its footprint in the jewelry market.
Brought to you by
reDollar.com Is Rolling Out the Next Level Jewelry, Diamond & Watch Consignment ProgramWith their unmatched services and low fees, reDollar.com is challenging some big names in the online consignment world.
MajorsSep 09, 2025
MJSA Education Foundation Announces 2025 Scholarship WinnersThe nonprofit awarded four students pursuing a professional career in jewelry making and design with $2,250 each.
Weekly QuizSep 04, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
IndependentsSep 08, 2025
Take a Look Inside the New Korman Store in AustinThe Texas-based jeweler has also undergone a brand refresh, debuting a new website and logo.
MajorsSep 08, 2025
MJSA Is Officially Now Under JA’s UmbrellaThe two organizations have finalized and signed the affiliation agreement announced in May.
Brought to you by
Rallying Call for the Jewelry Industry on Tariffs and Other Key IssuesJewelers of America is leading the charge to protect the industry amidst rising economic threats.
AuctionsSep 08, 2025
Sotheby’s To Auction ‘Exceptional’ Collection of JAR, Suzanne Belperron JewelsThe single-owner sale will headline Sotheby's inaugural jewelry auction at the Breuer building, its new global headquarters, this December.
Events & AwardsSep 08, 2025
27 Can’t-Miss Converge Sessions, Events From sunrise yoga to tariffs talks, these are some events to check out at the upcoming inaugural event.
ColumnistsSep 05, 2025
Peter Smith: A Lasting Lesson From Maurice Tempelsman Smith recalls a bit of wisdom the industry leader, who died last week, shared at a diamond conference years ago.
CollectionsSep 05, 2025
Piece of the Week: Jamie Turner’s ‘Victoria’ Necklace The “Victoria” necklace features a labradorite hugged by diamond accents in 18-karat yellow gold.
Policies & IssuesSep 05, 2025
Trump Takes Tariffs Case to the Supreme Court Two lower courts have moved to block the import taxes, which will remain in place as the legal battle continues.
WatchesSep 05, 2025
Patrick Mahomes Is the New Hublot Brand AmbassadorThe Kansas City Chiefs quarterback shares Hublot’s dedication to pursuing greatness, the Swiss watchmaker said.
SourcingSep 04, 2025
Lucara Unveils Unusual 37-Carat Pink DiamondThe Type IIa stone, recovered from Botswana’s Karowe diamond mine last month, features unique coloration.
WatchesSep 04, 2025
Breitling Takes Its NFL Game to the Next Level Breitling is now the NFL’s official timepiece partner, a move that puts the brand in front of the millions of Americans who watch football.
Events & AwardsSep 04, 2025
The NYC Jewelry, Antique, & Object Show Returns in NovemberNYCJAOS is set for Nov. 21-23 in New York City’s Chelsea neighborhood.
SourcingSep 03, 2025
Gemfields Confirms Completion of Fabergé SaleU.S.-based investment company SMG Capital LLC is the new owner of the luxury brand.
MajorsSep 03, 2025
These Are the Nearly 300 Claire’s Stores Set to CloseA new court filing details the locations of the stores that will close, as well as the 830 that will remain open.
MajorsSep 03, 2025
Stuller Releases 2 New Catalogs The new catalogs are “Tools, Equipment, & Metals” and “Findings & Metals.”
TrendsSep 03, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: A Perfect BirthstoneSapphire’s variety of colors make it the perfect birthstone for September.
FinancialsSep 02, 2025
Lab-Grown Diamonds, Lower-Priced Fashion Jewelry Drive Signet Jewelers’ Q2 SalesThe retailer has raised its guidance after seeing total sales increase 3 percent in the second quarter, beating expectations.
MajorsSep 02, 2025
Birks CEO Jean-Christophe Bédos Steps DownNiccolò Rossi di Montelera, executive chairman of the board, was appointed as interim CEO.
MajorsSep 02, 2025
Harry Winston Opens Its Largest Flagship in JapanThe three-floor space also features the jeweler’s largest VIP salon in Japan and offers an exclusive diamond pendant.
CollectionsSep 02, 2025
Stephanie Gottlieb Debuts Silver Designs in ‘All Hours’ CollabThe collection is a collaboration between Stephanie Gottlieb Fine Jewelry and Oak and Luna, focusing on understated essentials.
AuctionsAug 29, 2025
Sotheby’s UAE Sale to Feature 32-Carat Fancy Vivid Orangy Pink DiamondThe highlight of a single-owner jewelry and watch collection, it’s estimated to fetch up to $7 million at auction this December.
