A Colombian man who previously lived in Los Angeles has been sentenced in federal court for his role in a nationwide jewelry theft ring responsible for millions of dollars in losses.
Edixon Rincon Puentes, 45, was sentenced Thursday in federal court in Bridgeport, Connecticut, to three years and six months in prison. Authorities said he was involved in an organized criminal group that carried out burglaries targeting jewelry stores and kiosks in shopping malls across the United States.
According to the interim U.S. Attorney for the District of Connecticut, one of the thefts occurred at the Connecticut Post Mall in Milford on Oct. 5, 2023, where jewelry was stolen from a retail business.
Prosecutors said the burglary spree took place during October and November 2023. In addition to Connecticut, the group targeted businesses in New Jersey, Ohio, Indiana, New York, Illinois, and Virginia.
Investigators determined that Rincon Puentes alone was responsible for $938,148 in losses, accounting for a significant portion of the approximately $4.4 million in stolen jewelry linked to the crime ring.
Authorities also revealed that none of the stolen items have been recovered so far.
Evidence presented in court showed that much of the stolen jewelry was sold to a business owner in Queens, New York. The items were then resold to other buyers, including individuals known to melt down the gold.
Rincon Puentes has been in custody since July 17, 2024, and he pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges on Nov. 8, 2024.
The investigation was led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from police departments in each of the states where the burglaries occurred.
Additional support came from the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the Middle District of Florida and the Southern District of Florida, along with FBI field offices in New York, Dallas, Miami, and Tampa.
Officials said the prosecution is part of a Homeland Security Task Force initiative launched under Executive Order 14159, which focuses on combating organized criminal activity carried out by foreign nationals operating within the United States.
