By: Richard L. Smith
Six men have been charged in connection with a series of smash-and-grab robberies targeting jewelry stores across New Jersey, federal authorities announced.
According to information released by U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer, jewelry stores in New Jersey and Staten Island have been targeted in similar robberies since early 2025.
Federal officials said groups of masked and gloved suspects allegedly entered stores during business hours by smashing glass doors and windows with crowbars or sledgehammers.
Once inside, the suspects allegedly broke display cases and stole jewelry.
Shaquan Jones, 24, of Newark, and Kayron Caldwell, 34, of Newark, were each charged in connection with a May 14, 2025, robbery at a Paterson jewelry store.
Investigators said blood was discovered on broken glass at the scene and DNA testing allegedly linked the evidence to Jones and Caldwell.
Authorities also allege that investigators recovered photographs from Jones’ online cloud storage showing him holding cash while wearing a bandage on his left hand in the days following the robbery.
Caldwell allegedly conducted internet searches related to bandages and wound treatment after the incident.
In a separate case, Wyzier Peterson, 28, Corey Boyd, 29, and Terrance Drakeford, 33, all of Paterson, were charged in connection with a June 16, 2026, jewelry store robbery in Wayne.
Authorities said suspects smashed their way into the business using sledgehammers, broke display cases and fled in an SUV before switching to another vehicle several blocks away.
According to federal officials, Haledon Police attempted to stop the second vehicle shortly afterward, but the driver allegedly fled before crashing about a block away.
Drakeford was apprehended at the crash scene, while other occupants allegedly fled on foot. Boyd and Peterson were later identified and taken into custody.
Derreck Proctor, 33, of Newark, was charged in connection with a March 7, 2026, robbery at a Union City jewelry store.
Investigators said blood recovered from the scene was analyzed and allegedly matched Proctor’s DNA. Authorities also said surveillance footage from a hardware store showed Proctor purchasing two 10-pound sledgehammers several weeks before the robbery.
Caldwell, Jones, Peterson, Boyd and Drakeford were ordered detained following their respective federal court appearances. Proctor was released on bail.
Each defendant faces a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in federal prison and a fine of up to $250,000, or twice the amount involved in the alleged offense, whichever is greater.
The charges and allegations are accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.