New York Man Pleads Guilty to Fencing Millions in Stolen Jewelry from Mall Thefts Across the United States

BRIDGEPORT, CONNECTICUT — A Brooklyn man has admitted his role in a multi-state jewelry fencing operation tied to a nationwide series of mall burglaries that targeted retail stores and kiosks across the United States, resulting in more than $4.4 million in losses.

Salim Sakal, 55, of Brooklyn, New York, pleaded guilty in federal court to conspiracy to receive and sell stolen goods, after waiving indictment and entering his plea before U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley. The case was prosecuted in the District of Connecticut, reflecting the interstate scope of the criminal operation.

Nationwide Mall Theft Operation

According to court records, between May 2023 and April 2024, an organized theft ring composed of Colombian nationals carried out coordinated burglaries targeting mall-based jewelry stores and kiosks in at least six states, including:

• Connecticut
• Illinois
• Indiana
• New Jersey
• Ohio
• Virginia

Investigators also determined that members of the group cased additional jewelry locations in Iowa, Wisconsin, Delaware, and other states, indicating a broader operational footprint beyond the confirmed burglaries.

The thefts focused on high-value jewelry and gold merchandise, with losses exceeding $4.4 million. To date, none of the stolen jewelry has been recovered.

Role as a Fencing Hub

Sakal was identified as a central fencing figure in the operation. He co-owned Ramoun Jewelry, a retail business located in Corona, New York, which sold jewelry and gold to the public and purchased precious metals from third parties.

Between August 2023 and April 2024, Sakal conspired with members of the theft ring to receive, store, and resell jewelry stolen from at least seven confirmed burglaries. Court documents state that Sakal paid cash for the stolen items at a fraction of their retail value, then resold them through secondary channels — including buyers he knew would melt the gold, effectively eliminating traceability.

Licensing and Recordkeeping Failures

Investigators also found that Ramoun Jewelry did not possess a valid second-hand dealer license, as required under New York City regulations. The business failed to maintain mandatory transaction records, including:

• Seller identification
• Item descriptions
• Dates and times of purchase

These omissions further complicated recovery efforts and obscured the chain of custody for the stolen merchandise.

Legal Consequences and Restitution

Sakal’s guilty plea carries a maximum sentence of five years in federal prison. As part of the plea agreement, he has agreed to pay $2,471,457 in restitution, jointly and severally with other defendants convicted in the case.

Sakal has been released on a $1 million bond pending sentencing, which is scheduled for April 17.

Broader Context

Organized retail theft and fencing operations remain a persistent issue for mall-based retailers, particularly jewelry stores and kiosks that offer high-value merchandise with relatively limited overnight security. Law enforcement officials have noted that fencing networks play a critical role in sustaining these theft rings by rapidly converting stolen goods into cash and destroying identifying features through resale or metal melting.

The absence of recovered merchandise in this case highlights the long-term financial impact on small retailers and shopping centers affected by coordinated theft operations.

Investigation

The investigation involved a multi-state law enforcement effort, coordinated through an FBI task force focused on transnational organized crime, with assistance from numerous state and local police agencies across the affected jurisdictions.

No additional plea agreements or sentencing outcomes have been announced at this time.

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