2 Charged In $4.4 Million Theft Ring That Targeted Milford Store, Prosecutors Say

MILFORD, CT — Two men have been charged in connection with a jewelry theft ring that targeted stores in numerous states and swiped more than $4.4 million in merchandise.

One of those stores was a jewelry kiosk at the Connecticut Post Mall in Milford, which was burglarized in October 2023.

Two Colombian nationals were extradited to the United States to face charges in the case, according to a statement from federal prosecutors.

Elvis Guevara Quintero and Jaime Torres Castiblanco, both 51, were among several Colombian nationals who burglarized the stores and kiosks, then took the property across state lines, according to prosecutors.

They were indicted on charges of of conspiracy and interstate transportation of stolen property in July 2024. Colombian authorities arrested the pair in August 2025, and they have been detained since then.

On Aug. 28, they appeared before a judge in Hartford and pleaded not guilty to the charges in the indictment. They each face up to 15 years in prison.

Court records say the theft ring targeted mall jewelry stores and kiosks between May 2023 and April 2024. The burglaries took place in several states, including Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, New Jersey, Ohio and Virginia. Losses from the thefts totaled more than $4.4 million.

Members of the theft ring took the stolen property across state lines, according to prosecutors. Before the burglaries, the group surveilled the jewelry stores and kiosks to formulate game plans, including posing as legitimate customers to evaluate each store's merchandise and security measures.

To date, none of the stolen jewelry has been recovered by law enforcement. An investigation found that much of the stolen jewelry was sold to the owner of a Queens, New York jewelry store, who then sold it to others, including those he knew would melt down the gold.

Another man involved in the case was sentenced to 57 months in prison.