Beverly Hills man stole more than $1.8M in jewelry, accessories from fashionistas at ritzy hotel: feds

Paging the fashion police.

A man was busted for allegedly swiping more than $1.8 million in designer jewelry and other accessories from fashionistas at a Beverly Hills hotel, federal authorities said Thursday.

Jobson Marangoni De Castro, 37, is accused of tricking a staffer at the five-star Peninsula Beverly Hills hotel into handing over a room key belonging to a Brazilian couple in town for a fashion event on May 10, according to the Justice Department.

He allegedly stuffed six suitcases with their glittering jewelry — including a $200,000 Flavia Vetorasso diamond necklace and a $89,400 Chopard L’Heure du Diamant watch — along with a $14,000 Chanel dress and other items, according to a federal complaint.

De Castro, a Brazilian citizen who lives in Beverly Hills, then fled to Miami, where he allegedly tried to sell some of the stolen swag to a shop owner via Instagram for $50,000, according to the complaint.


jewelry
Jobson Marangoni De Castro, 37, is accused of slipping into a couple’s hotel room and stealing $1.8 million in jewelry and other goods.
Department of Justice

The alleged jewel thief was arrested Monday and charged with interstate transportation of stolen property at the Los Angeles International Airport.


designer watch
De Castro allegedly stole a designer watch worth nearly $90,000.
Department of Justice

Before the jewelry heist, De Castro allegedly took an Uber to the hotel and charged a meal at the bar to the couple’s room, federal prosecutors said.

He initially tried to enter the hotel room but found one of the guests sleeping, so he left and returned later, the feds said.

He was later caught on camera in a hotel elevator hauling suitcases belonging to the unnamed victims, who said they didn’t previously know him,  according to the complaint.


hotel elevator
De Castro was allegedly caught on camera in a hotel elevator with suitcases full of loot.
Department of Justice

Peninsula Beverly Hills hotel.
The heist unfolded at the five-star Peninsula Beverly Hills hotel.
MB Pictures/Shutterstock

Investigators said they tracked De Castro’s movements on the day of the thefts using GPS data from his Uber trips and two suitcases that had AirTags inside of them.

Other goods he allegedly swiped included Tumi suitcases valued at $5,000; a $1,000 Rimowa carry-on bag, along with clothing and shoes valued at $285,000, the feds said.

He faces up to 10 years in prison.