Diamonds Worth $250,000 Stolen from Vendor at Las Vegas Bar

In a bold incident on the Las Vegas Strip, four individuals have been charged with stealing a bag containing approximately $250,000 worth of diamonds from a jewelry vendor attending the Jewelers Circular Keystone (JCK) show at the Bar Luca in the Palazzo hotel.

Incident Details

The victim, a jeweler from Georgia, was in Las Vegas with his wife for the JCK show. On May 31, while taking a break at Bar Luca with a colleague, he placed a bag between his feet containing 12 diamond engagement rings, three diamond pendants, $250 in cash, and his car and house keys. 

Despite his vigilance, the bag was stolen by four suspects, identified as Juan Parrado Mendez, David Parrado Mendez, Melany Millan Lopez, and Leidy Grisales Suarez, according to police reports.

Surveillance Footage and Arrest

Surveillance footage revealed the suspects’ coordinated actions. David Parrado Mendez was seen sliding the bag with his foot towards his brother, Juan Parrado Mendez, who secured it. Suarez then concealed the bag using her large Christian Dior purse. Lopez, who was in Las Vegas for a David Guetta concert and had met the group at a nightclub, was also involved.

The following evening, security personnel at the Palazzo hotel identified the suspects, with Lopez wearing the victim’s wife’s trade show lanyard. All four were apprehended by Palazzo security and subsequently taken into police custody.

Legal Proceedings

The suspects have been charged with grand larceny exceeding $100,000 and conspiracy to commit grand larceny. After their initial court appearance, they were released on their own recognizance and are scheduled to return to court on July 10.

Security Recommendations

This incident underscores the need for vigilance at trade shows to ensure the security of merchandise at all times.

Steps you can take to safeguard your valuables include:

• Always keep high-value items in a secure, on-body location.
• Be aware of surroundings and any suspicious activities.
• Utilize hotel safes for storage of merchandise when not in immediate use.
• Coordinate with event security for guidance on best practices during trade shows.

This theft serves as a reminder of the potential risks within the jewelry trade industry, even at events like the JCK show. Enhanced security awareness and precautions can help mitigate these risks and protect valuable merchandise.