PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Federal prosecutors in Portland, Ore., say they’ve cracked a multi-state diamond theft ring that made off with more than $1.4 million in gems from various jewelers.
Five people indicted in Portland are charged with interstate transportation of stolen property and conspiracy. Two of the five — 39-year-old Michael Young of Davenport, Florida, and 36-year-old Ernest Remor of Spring Hill, Florida, appeared Wednesday before a federal magistrate and were ordered detained as flight risks pending trial set for Sept. 27. The Oregonian says they both pleaded not guilty.
The FBI says a man would walk into a jewelry store and pretend to shop for a diamond ring. After asking to see large gems, the phony customer would grab them and race to a getaway car.
The indictment describes seven thefts from stores in Oregon, California, Tennessee and Nevada. It says the gems were transported to Pennsylvania for sale.
