6 men charged in series of ‘violent’ smash-and-grab jewelry store robberies
The men allegedly made off with hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth of jewelry.
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Six men are facing federal charges in connection with a series of smash-and-grab jewelry store robberies across New Jersey.
The United States Attorney District of New Jersey says the group used crowbars and sledgehammers to break into stores in Paterson, Wayne and Union City over the course of more than a year. Officials say the suspects were wearing masks and gloves during the crimes.
The men allegedly made off with hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth of jewelry.
“Customers at these jewelry stores found themselves caught in the middle of violent robberies carried out by masked men who showed little regard for anyone who might get hurt,” said Stephanie Roddy, special agent in charge at Newark’s FBI office.
Those facing charges include:
•Shaquan Jones, 24, of Newark, and Kayron Caldwell, 34, of Newark, accused of robbing a jewelry store in Paterson on May 14, 2025.
Wyzier Peterson, 28, Corey Boyd, 29 and Terrance Drakeford, 33, all from Paterson, accused of robbing a jewelry store in Wayne on June 16, 2026.
Derreck Proctor, 33, of Newark, accused of robbing a jewelry store in Union City, on March 7, 2026.
Investigators say DNA, surveillance and getaway cars helped link the suspects to the crimes.
