Columbian migrant theft gang stole millions from Americans during cross-country heist spree: feds
A group of Colombian migrants has been implicated in a series of lucrative jewelry heists across multiple states, with their ill-gotten gains funneled to a jewelry dealer in Putnam Valley who allegedly melted down the stolen gold and sold it on the black market, according to federal prosecutors.
Known as the “South American Theft Group,” the criminals targeted traveling jewelry salespeople and stores in Florida, Georgia, California, and other states from September 2019 to August 2021. Their most significant haul occurred in February 2020 when they made off with an estimated $2.6 million in jewelry from a salesperson in Boynton Beach, FL. Other notable thefts included $730,000 in jewelry taken in Dalton, GA, and $125,000 stolen in Miami Beach.
The stolen merchandise was reportedly sold to Mark Simon, a Westchester County resident, who allegedly paid rock-bottom prices in cash and frequently traveled to Florida to meet with the thieves in hotel rooms. Simon, 56, was arrested at his home in Jefferson Valley on charges of conspiracy to launder monetary instruments and was released on $50,000 bond after pleading not guilty.
It is unclear whether any of the unidentified thieves have been apprehended or deported. South American Theft groups have been linked to high-profile crimes nationwide, including a robbery at the home of Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow, where $300,000 worth of luxury goods were stolen. Similar gangs are believed to be behind burglaries at the residences of Kansas City Chiefs players Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce.
In a separate incident, six illegal migrants associated with a South American Theft Group used saws to break into a jewelry store on Long Island. Despite being arrested, five of them were released on bail and subsequently fled, with some cutting off their ankle monitors using the same saws they used in the robbery.
Simon’s lawyer, Jeffrey Chartier, stated that his client is involved in both retail and wholesale jewelry sales and emphasized that seeking out the best prices for products is standard practice in the wholesale business. Chartier maintained Simon’s innocence in the case.
The prevalence of South American Theft groups underscores the need for heightened security measures to combat organized crime in the jewelry industry and protect businesses and individuals from becoming victims of such brazen criminal activities.
