$4.4-Million Jewelry Theft Ring Case Tied To Milford Police Assistance

MILFORD, CT — A New York man has admitted to buying and reselling jewelry stolen from mall stores and kiosks across the country, including locations investigated with help from Milford police.

Salim Sakal, 55, of Brooklyn, pleaded guilty in federal court in Bridgeport to his role in a nationwide jewelry theft scheme, according to prosecutors.

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.

Authorities did not comment on which specific cases Sakal was involved in.

Related: Smash-And-Grab Thieves Steal $50K Worth Of Jewelry From Milford Mall, Police Say

Sakal was a co-owner of Ramoun Jewelry in Corona, New York. Prosecutors said he worked with members of the theft ring to receive and sell jewelry taken during seven burglaries.

He paid cash for the stolen items at prices far below their retail value, then sold them to others. Some of the jewelry was sold to people who melted down the gold, authorities said.

Investigators said Sakal’s business did not have the required license to buy secondhand jewelry and did not keep basic records about sellers or purchases.

None of the stolen jewelry has been recovered, according to prosecutors.

Sakal faces up to five years in prison. He has agreed to pay more than $2.4 million in restitution along with others convicted in the case.

He was released on a $1 million bond and is scheduled to be sentenced April 17.

The investigation involved the FBI and police departments from multiple states, including the Milford Police Department.