Events & AwardsJul 11, 2025
The Edge’s Annual Conference Returns in SeptemberIts sessions will focus on inventory strategies, staff performance, retention and acquisition, emerging market trends, and more.
CrimeDec 09, 2019
4 Dead Following Attempted Jewelry Store Robbery in Florida
A failed armed robbery of a store on Coral Gables’ “Miracle Mile” spurred a chase that resulted in the deaths of the two robbery suspects, a UPS driver and a bystander.
Coral Gables, Fla.—Four people are dead following an attempted armed robbery at a jewelry store and an ensuing high-speed chase last week in south Florida.
At a press conference held last week in Coral Gables, Police Chief Ed Hudak Jr. said at 4:17 p.m. Thursday, police received a silent holdup alarm from Regent Jewelers on the “Miracle Mile,” a stretch lined with restaurants, shops and galleries.
Officers responded in less than two minutes but, in that time, the store’s proprietor and the two suspects involved exchanged gunfire.
A female employee of Regent Jewelers was injured in the exchange, and a bullet also struck the window of Coral Gables City Hall, located across the street from the store.
Hudak said following the attempted robbery, the suspects carjacked a UPS truck at gunpoint a short distance from the store, kidnapped the driver and fled in the truck.
At a separate press conference held Thursday by the Miami-Dade Police Department via Facebook Live, George Piro, special agent in charge of FBI’s Miami field office, said after the carjacking at 4:36 p.m., a high-speed chase ensued through Dade and Broward counties, ending in Miramar, Florida.
The armed suspects and police exchanged gunfire, and both suspects were killed, as well two bystanders—the driver of the UPS truck, identified by his family as 27-year-old father of two Frank Ordonez, and a man identified in media reports as 70-year-old Richard Cutshaw, who was sitting in his car near where the gunfire was exchanged.
The FBI’s Miami Field Office identified the two men who attempted to rob the jewelry store then fled as Lamar Alexander and Ronnie Jerome Hill, both 41 years old and residents of Miami-Dade County.
Jewelers’ Security Alliance President John J. Kennedy said Friday the deaths of Ordonez and Cutshaw are the first homicides to occur in connection with a jewelry crime this year.
Alexander and Hill are the first suspect deaths of 2019.
The Miami Herald reported that officers from the Miramar, Pembroke Pines and Miami-Dade police departments have been placed on administrative leave pending an investigation into the shootout, which has prompted questions in the community.
The Miami-Dade Police Department referred all questions about the incident to the FBI’s Miami Field Office.
The office has not released any information other than the names of the two deceased suspects, and a spokesman said it does not comment on ongoing investigations.
The Latest
CollectionsJul 11, 2025
Piece of the Week: Miseno’s ‘Arco’ EarringsFor its 10th anniversary, Miseno designed the “Arco” earrings based on the Arco Felice, an arch conceptualized in A.D. 95 in Miseno, Italy.
Policies & IssuesJul 11, 2025
James Avery to Donate $1M to Texas Hill Country Relief EffortsThe jewelry company is one of several contributing to relief efforts in the region after the recent floods.
Brought to you by
Investing in the Next Generation of Bench JewelersThe Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.
TrendsJul 11, 2025
Kelly Osbourne’s Engagement Ring Is Sweet as HoneyInspired by fiancé Sid Wilson’s nickname for her, the white and yellow diamond ring features a unique honeycomb design.
Weekly QuizJul 10, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CollectionsJul 10, 2025
Penny Preville Celebrates 5 Decades of Jewelry DesignThe brand is marking its 50th anniversary with a limited-edition bangle, high jewelry suites, new collections, and more.
IndependentsJul 10, 2025
Steven Goldfarb to Retire, Close Alvin Goldfarb JewelerGoldfarb said changes in the industry, coupled with his age and the updates needed to modernize his business, drove his decision.
Brought to you by
Jewelers of America is Headed to Las Vegas for JCK 2025The countdown is on for the JCK Las Vegas Show and JA is pulling out all the stops.
MajorsJul 10, 2025
LVMH Names New Chairman, CEO of the AmericasLongtime LVMH executive Michael Burke has stepped into the role.
Events & AwardsJul 10, 2025
IAC Gold and Diamond Conference Returns to NYC Central topics of next week’s event include climate action, labor rights, artisan preservation, and value retention in producing countries.
MajorsJul 10, 2025
Hearts On Fire Appoints New Sales DirectorVickie Rokkos has joined the jewelry company as its new national sales director of North America.
SurveysJul 09, 2025
Jewelry Stays Strong as Luxury Market Slows, Bain & Co. Says Turbulence will be the new baseline for luxury as it faces its biggest potential setbacks in 15 years, a recent report said.
Supplier BulletinJul 09, 2025
JCK Unwrapped: Trends, Insights & Post-Show TipsSponsored by Rio Grande Jewelry Supply
CollectionsJul 09, 2025
Cece Jewellery’s New Fruit Jewels Celebrate Life’s SweetnessThe “For the Love of Fruits” collection features five fruit pendants, each holding a different meaning.
EditorsJul 09, 2025
The Most-Read Stories of 2025, So FarDiamonds and crimes (some involving diamonds) top the list of National Jeweler’s most popular stories halfway through the year.
SourcingJul 09, 2025
Florida Couple Finds 3-Carat Diamond in ArkansasThey discovered “The Dash Diamond,” named for their dog, at the Crater of Diamonds State Park earlier this month.
CollectionsJul 08, 2025
Mikimoto’s High Jewelry Collection Turns Pearls into PetalsThe “Les Pétales” collection imagines roses caught mid-bloom as a tribute to nature’s beauty.
ColumnistsJul 08, 2025
Peter Smith: Why Jewelers Struggle With Premium PricingLuxury brands charge thousands for their shoes and handbags. Jewelers pricing diamond products should take note, Peter Smith writes.
IndependentsJul 08, 2025
David Rotenberg of David Craig Jewelers Dies at 79Rotenberg was an active member of the American Gem Society and an accomplished appraiser who also worked with therapy dogs at a hospital.
TechnologyJul 08, 2025
‘Diamond Divas’ Brings the Showroom to Social Media Reality SeriesIt follows New York-based brand Shahla Karimi Jewelry’s all-women team in “Say Yes to the Dress” meets “The Office”-style episodes.
Policies & IssuesJul 08, 2025
SMO Gold Launches New FoundationIn its inaugural year, the SMO Foundation will focus on supporting two organizations in West Africa and one in South America.
Policies & IssuesJul 07, 2025
Higher Tariffs Set to Take Effect Aug. 1, Officials SayThe announcement comes just as the 90-day freeze on the “reciprocal” tariffs nears its end, giving countries more time to negotiate.
SourcingJul 07, 2025
Natural Diamond Council CEO David Kellie To Step DownKellie, who joined the organization in 2019, will remain in his role through the end of 2025.
Events & AwardsJul 07, 2025
Applications Open for Ella Klein Internship The program, a collaboration between Julius Klein Diamonds and the Women’s Jewelry Association, is in its second year.
Supplier BulletinJul 03, 2025
Protect Your Customers and Your BusinessSponsored by the Gemological Institute of America
MajorsJul 03, 2025
Brilliant Earth Names Tennis Star Madison Keys as Its New AmbassadorThe 2025 Australian Open champion is the jewelry brand’s first athlete ambassador.
MajorsJul 03, 2025
Muse Sets Up Shop in Nordstrom’s New Jewelry HallThe West Village jewelry boutique’s new shop-in-shop is the cornerstone of Nordstrom’s revamped jewelry hall.
