A Brooklyn man has pleaded guilty to his role in a scheme involving the sale of jewelry stolen from mall stores and kiosks across several states, according to an announcement by David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and P.J. O’Brien, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Salim Sakal, 55, waived indictment and entered his plea before U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport. According to court documents and statements made during proceedings, between May 2023 and April 2024, a group described as an organized jewelry theft ring comprised of Colombian nationals carried out burglaries at jewelry stores and kiosks located in malls throughout Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, New Jersey, Ohio, and Virginia. The total losses from these burglaries exceed $4.4 million. The group also surveyed additional locations in Iowa, Indiana, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Delaware.
Sakal was identified as co-owner of Ramoun Jewelry in Corona, New York. His business sold jewelry and gold to retail customers but also purchased such items from third parties. Authorities stated that Sakal conspired with members of the theft ring to receive and sell stolen jewelry from seven burglaries between August 2023 and April 2024. He paid cash for merchandise at prices well below their retail value before selling it on to others—including buyers who intended to melt down the gold.
Ramoun Jewelry did not have a valid second-hand dealer license required under New York City law nor did it maintain records such as identifying information about sellers or descriptions of items purchased.
No stolen jewelry has been recovered so far by law enforcement.
Sakal pleaded guilty to conspiracy to sell and receive stolen goods—a charge that carries a maximum prison sentence of five years.
He has agreed to pay restitution totaling $2,471,457 jointly with other convicted individuals connected with this case.
Sakal is currently released on a $1 million bond while awaiting sentencing scheduled for April 17.
The investigation was led by FBI New Haven’s Transnational Organized Crime Task Force with support from multiple police departments including those in Milford (Connecticut), Hamilton Township (New Jersey), Delaware State Police, Henrico County (Virginia), New York State Police as well as local police agencies across several states. Assistant U.S. Attorneys David T. Huang and Conor M. Reardon are prosecuting the case.
U.S. Attorney Sullivan expressed appreciation for assistance provided by U.S. Attorney’s Offices in the Middle District of Florida; Southern Districts of Florida; Eastern Districts of New York; Southern Districts of New York; along with FBI Field Offices in New York; Dallas; Miami; and Tampa.
