Yoel Andres Barrera Garrido, Armed Jewelry Heist, New Jersey 2023

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Newark Man Charged in Armed Jewelry Heist

A brazen armed robbery at a jewelry exchange in Elizabeth, New Jersey, has led to a federal indictment against a 42-year-old Newark man, William Valentin. According to court documents, Valentin and three masked accomplices stormed the store on September 5, 2017, brandishing a firearm and stealing thousands of dollars worth of jewelry.

Video surveillance captured the suspects entering the mall, approaching the jewelry exchange, and fleeing the scene with bags of stolen goods. Witnesses reported seeing a black Audi speeding away from the scene, with Valentin and his accomplices inside.

Valentin was arrested in January 2018 in Holyoke, Massachusetts, with a backpack containing stolen jewelry in his possession. The stolen goods were later linked to the Elizabeth jewelry exchange robbery.

Valentin faces a slew of charges, including conspiring to commit Hobbs Act robberies, Hobbs Act robbery, brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence, and conspiring to use a firearm during a crime of violence. If convicted, Valentin could face up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

The count of brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence carries a mandatory minimum sentence of seven years in prison, which must be imposed consecutive to any other sentence imposed. This means that if Valentin is convicted of this charge, he could face a total of 27 years in prison.

U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito credited the FBI, Elizabeth Police Department, Union County Prosecutor’s Office, and Holyoke Police Department for their assistance in the investigation. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren E. Repole of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Public Protection Unit in Newark.

Valentin is scheduled to appear in federal court in Newark to face the charges against him. He is considered innocent until proven guilty.