Man sentenced for role in nationwide jewelry theft ring

Edixon Rincon Puentes received 3.5 years in prison for his involvement in robberies across multiple states.

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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A 45-year-old Colombian man named Edixon Rincon Puentes was sentenced to 3.5 years in prison on Thursday for his role in a nationwide organized jewelry theft ring that targeted the Connecticut Post Mall and other locations across the country. Rincon Puentes primarily served as the lookout and driver while his co-conspirators robbed jewelry stores, with the total value of stolen items exceeding $4.4 million.

Why it matters

This case highlights the growing problem of organized retail crime rings that target malls and jewelry stores across state lines, resulting in significant financial losses for businesses and consumers. It also underscores the challenges law enforcement faces in tracking down and recovering stolen goods that are quickly melted down or resold.

The details

From May 2023 to April 2024, Rincon Puentes and several others stole from jewelry stores and kiosks in Connecticut, New Jersey, Virginia, Ohio, Indiana, New York, and Illinois. Rincon Puentes was primarily the "lookout and driver" while his co-conspirators robbed the jewelry stores, including an incident at the Connecticut Post Mall in Milford on October 5, 2023. The total value of the stolen items was more than $4.4 million, with Rincon Puentes' involvement accounting for $938,148 in stolen goods. Most of the stolen jewelry was sold to the owner of a jewelry store in Queens, New York, who then sold it to others who would melt down the gold.

  • Rincon Puentes and his co-conspirators carried out robberies from May 2023 to April 2024.
  • The group targeted the Connecticut Post Mall in Milford on October 5, 2023.
  • Rincon Puentes was arrested in July 2024 and pleaded guilty in November 2024.
  • Many of Rincon Puentes' co-conspirators were sentenced to various terms in prison in late 2025.
  • Rincon Puentes was sentenced to 3.5 years in prison on March 5, 2026.

The players

Edixon Rincon Puentes

A 45-year-old Colombian citizen who last lived in Los Angeles, California, and was the primary "lookout and driver" for the nationwide jewelry theft ring.

Department of Justice

The federal agency that prosecuted Rincon Puentes and his co-conspirators for their involvement in the nationwide jewelry theft ring.

Jewelry store owner in Queens, New York

The individual who purchased most of the stolen jewelry from the theft ring and then sold it to others who would melt down the gold.

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What’s next

The Department of Justice is continuing to investigate the nationwide jewelry theft ring and work to recover any remaining stolen goods.

The takeaway

This case demonstrates the need for stronger coordination and information-sharing between law enforcement agencies across state lines to combat the rise of organized retail crime rings that target valuable merchandise like jewelry. It also highlights the importance of businesses and consumers remaining vigilant to help prevent and report such criminal activities.