CrimeSep 16, 2025
2 Robbery Suspects Killed in California Pawn Shop ShootoutCrimeSep 30, 2025
2 Suspects Charged in $300K Sleight-of-Hand Jewelry Store Scam
Two men allegedly used counterfeit bills to purchase luxury watches and jewelry from a North Carolina jeweler.
Two suspects are charged with using counterfeit money to buy $300,000 worth of watches and jewelry from a jeweler in Pineville, North Carolina.
Charlotte, N.C.—Two Mississippi men are facing federal charges for using counterfeit money to buy high-end watches and jewelry from a retailer in Pineville, North Carolina.
Robert Lewis Elliott III, 36, and Devin Alonzo Elliott, 30, of Okolona, Mississippi, are charged with conspiracy to pass counterfeit obligations and passing counterfeit obligations, according to a press release from the office of Russ Ferguson, U.S. attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.
The criminal indictment was filed in August and was unsealed on Sept. 25 after the defendants’ court appearances.
According to the indictment, the two men traveled from Mississippi to North Carolina in June, entering the jewelry store, identified in local reports as Solitaire Jewelry at the Carolina Place Mall, on June 26.
They allegedly told an employee that they intended to buy $300,000 worth of watches and jewelry. They left a $1,000 cash deposit and said they would return the next day to finalize the sale.
The following day, June 27, the men did return.
According to the indictment, Robert allegedly handed over $10,000 (a stack of genuine $100 bills) for the employee to count.
The bills were counted using an electronic counter and verified with a counterfeit detection pen, the release said.
Then, the indictment alleges, Robert used a sleight-of-hand technique to swap the genuine bills with a stack of counterfeit bills, which were placed in the store’s safe as payment.
Robert used the same stack of genuine bills over and over, repeating the process until all the counterfeit money was in the safe.
Related stories will be right here …
Robert Lewis Elliott III, 36, and Devin Alonzo Elliott, 30, of Okolona, Mississippi, are charged with conspiracy to pass counterfeit obligations and passing counterfeit obligations, according to a press release from the office of Russ Ferguson, U.S. attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.
The criminal indictment was filed in August and was unsealed on Sept. 25 after the defendants’ court appearances.
According to the indictment, the two men traveled from Mississippi to North Carolina in June, entering the jewelry store, identified in local reports as Solitaire Jewelry at the Carolina Place Mall, on June 26.
They allegedly told an employee that they intended to buy $300,000 worth of watches and jewelry. They left a $1,000 cash deposit and said they would return the next day to finalize the sale.
The following day, June 27, the men did return.
According to the indictment, Robert allegedly handed over $10,000 (a stack of genuine $100 bills) for the employee to count.
The bills were counted using an electronic counter and verified with a counterfeit detection pen, the release said.
Then, the indictment alleges, Robert used a sleight-of-hand technique to swap the genuine bills with a stack of counterfeit bills, which were placed in the store’s safe as payment.
Robert used the same stack of genuine bills over and over, repeating the process until all the counterfeit money was in the safe.
Once the employee had finished counting the money, he asked Robert for his identification to complete the sale.
Robert allegedly said that he needed to go to his car to get his ID as well as money to buy more jewelry.
The two men then exited the store and fled, taking watches and jewelry valued at a combined $300,000, as per the release.
The stolen items were: a Patek Philippe diamond watch ($90,000), an Audemars Piguet watch ($48,000), a Cartier watch ($25,000), four Rolex watches ($76,300 total), a rose gold Cuban link chain ($32,000), a gold bracelet ($17,500), a bangle bracelet ($8,200), diamond earrings ($1,000), and 24-karat gold earrings ($2,000).
Robert and Devin were released on bond, the release said.
If convicted, they face up to five years in prison for conspiracy to pass counterfeit obligations and 20 years in prison for passing counterfeit obligations.
More on Crime
The Latest
ColumnistsJun 24, 2026
The Revenue Hiding Between Your Counter and Your Online CartJewelers are missing out by not offering this one key add-on at the online point of sale, Emmanuel Raheb writes.
CollectionsJun 24, 2026
Greenwich St. Jewelers, Jewel Boxing’s Latest Drop Is On-TrendThe fourth collaborative collection from the retailer and jewelry content creator focuses on gemstone charms and strands of colorful beads.
Events & AwardsJun 24, 2026
AGTA Accepting Entries for Spectrum 2026This year’s AGTA Spectrum & Cutting Edge Awards will feature two new categories.
Brought to you by
Wedding Band Trends 2026: Personalization Takes Center StageColored gemstones, artisan finishes, mixed metals, and meaningful details are shaping demand in bridal jewelry.
SourcingJun 24, 2026
Columbia Gem House To Offer Alexandrite Melee OnlineThe collection features traceable alexandrite from Brazil in calibrated sizes that is sorted by grade.
Weekly QuizJun 17, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
MajorsJun 24, 2026
CaratLane Names New Chief Sales OfficerDhaval Raja has been appointed to the role.
CollectionsJun 23, 2026
Francesca Villa Goes ‘On the Road’The capsule collection looks to vintage trunk pins that echo the spirit of speed, freedom, and the mythology of the American road trip.
Brought to you by
Building the Future of Jewelry Retail: DCA Expands Education, Leadership Development, and Workforce SolutionsDCA is preparing the next generation of professionals by supporting workforce development, leadership growth, and career advancement.
SourcingJun 23, 2026
New Paraíba Tourmaline Source Reportedly Discovered in EthiopiaSSEF issued a notice about the potential new source of the sought-after gemstone, citing “credible reports” from trade sources.
MajorsJun 23, 2026
Etsy Says ‘Shop Other Jeffs’ This Prime DayAs Amazon Prime Day kicks off, Etsy is encouraging shoppers to support small businesses.
Events & AwardsJun 23, 2026
AGA Announces 2026 Scholarship WinnerCole Winward is the recipient of 2026 AGA Gemological Scholarship.
EditorsJun 22, 2026
15 Pieces of Jewelry That Brought Us Joy in Vegas Whether they evoked nostalgia, wonder, or laughter, these jewels put a smile on our faces.
Events & AwardsJun 22, 2026
Plans Announced for New Trade Show in BaselScheduled for April 2027, Basilia will be the first watch and jewelry trade show held in Basel since the collapse of Baselworld in 2020.
Events & AwardsJun 22, 2026
Gem Awards Opens 2027 Nomination PeriodSubmissions for the milestone 25th annual Gem Awards will be accepted across three categories from now through July 31.
WatchesJun 22, 2026
Snoopy Inspires New ‘Flying Ace’ Ball WatchThe beloved beagle dons his aviator outfit for the new Engineer Master II Snoopy Flying Ace timepiece.
AuctionsJun 18, 2026
Paraíba Tourmalines Sell for $3.4M at Sotheby'sThe recent high jewelry auction, which also featured the sale of a 10-carat blue diamond, was “a celebration of color.”
CollectionsJun 18, 2026
Michelle Obama Wears Almasika Earrings Symbolizing Feminine PowerShe wore the “Le Cauri Endiamanté” earrings, our Piece of the Week, in the Obamas’ first dual portrait for the Obama Presidential Center.
PodcastsJun 17, 2026
Episode 6: Las Vegas 2026-Trends, Traffic, Broken BathroomsCouture’s Michelle Orman joins Amanda Gizzi and Michelle Graff for this special post-Market Week episode of My Next Question.
GradingJun 17, 2026
SSEF Issues Warning on Refilled EmeraldsThe lab is seeing emeralds with filler added post-testing enter the market, accompanied by reports that indicate little to no treatment.
WatchesJun 17, 2026
Patek Philippe’s ‘Visionary’ Leader Philippe Stern Dies at 88 The third generation of the Stern family to head Patek Philippe, he navigated the “quartz crisis” and preserved the brand’s independence.
MajorsJun 17, 2026
James Avery to Revamp In-Store Retail ExperienceThe Texas-based jeweler is gradually rolling out a new experience-forward layout in its stores.
MajorsJun 17, 2026
Seahawks’ Super Bowl Ring Blends Meaningful Design, Technical CraftsmanshipThe Super Bowl LX champions were honored with diamond and blue sapphire rings by Jason of Beverly Hills.
Policies & IssuesJun 17, 2026
Community for Ethical Jewelry Names New Executive DirectorMarianna Smirnova previously spent a decade working with the Responsible Minerals Initiative, in addition to other relevant roles.
MajorsJun 16, 2026
5 Things to Know About the 2026 NBA Championship TrophyThe New York Knicks took home the Larry O'Brien Trophy crafted by Tiffany & Co.
TrendsJun 16, 2026
Post-Vegas Jewelry Trend Report: Big Beads, Western Flair, White MetalsAssociate Editor Natalie Francisco lists the trends she spotted during Jewelry Market Week that will dominate the second half of 2026.
SourcingJun 16, 2026
GemGuide Updates Ruby PricesIts app now reflects increased prices for Mozambique ruby, as well as changes to its Burma ruby charts.
MajorsJun 16, 2026
Sasha Primak Hires New Design DirectorThe manufacturer has tapped Alicia Arnold, the former director of custom design at Tiny Jewel Box.
