A Delaware man was arrested for transporting stolen goods obtained through a string of jewelry store thefts in New Jersey, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced.
Michael Larbi, 24, of Dover, Delaware, is charged by complaint with five counts of interstate transportation of stolen goods from October 2020 through February 2021. He made his initial appearance on Nov. 3, 2022, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Douglas E. Arpert in Trenton federal court.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
From October 2020 through February 2021, Larbi engaged in a string of jewelry store thefts in multiple states, including New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Delaware, which resulted in hundreds of thousands of dollars in stolen jewelry. On Oct. 28, 2020, Larbi entered a jewelry store in Marlton, New Jersey, and asked to look at two engagement rings. Larbi then took two rings that were left on a counter and took a ring from the store employee’s hand and ran out of the store. The value of the three stolen rings was $77,420. Larbi then traveled with the rings across state lines to Philadelphia.
On Nov. 2, 2020, Larbi entered a jewelry store in Haddon Heights, New Jersey. After asking to see jewelry, he forcibly took a box containing diamonds valued at $97,829 from the store employee’s hands and fled to Philadelphia. On Jan. 11, 2021, Larbi entered a jewelry store in Blackwood, New Jersey, and stole two rings valued at approximately $8,500 before fleeing to Delaware. On Feb. 6, 2021, Larbi entered a jewelry store in Clifton, New Jersey, stole two rings valued at approximately $15,600, and fled to Bronx, New York.
Each count of interstate transportation of stolen goods is punishable by a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and $250,000 fine.
U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Jacqueline Maguire; officers of the N.J. State Police, under the direction of Col. Patrick J. Callahan; and the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor Grace C. MacAulay, with the investigation leading to the charges. He also thanked the FBI in Newark, Delaware, and Wilmington, Delaware, officers of the Evesham, New Jersey, Police Department, Hainesport, New Jersey, Police Department, Haddon Heights, New Jersey, Police Department, Gloucester Township, New Jersey, Police Department, and the Clifton, New Jersey, Police Department for their assistance.
The charges and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
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