A trusted employee at a Clearwater jewelry store has been accused of stealing dozens of luxury watches worth more than $650,000 over a period of several years, according to Florida authorities.
The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office said 32-year-old Michael Kelly was arrested on June 5 and charged with scheme to defraud. Investigators say Kelly worked at Gold & Diamond Source, a high-end jewelry store in Clearwater, and used fake paperwork to cover up the thefts.
According to a June 5 news release, store officials contacted detectives on May 15 after discovering irregularities in their inventory. An internal investigation revealed that 36 watches were missing, with the thefts occurring between October 31, 2021, and May 3, 2025.
Detectives say Kelly created false sales records, making it appear that customers had traded in watches and bought others. In reality, no customers were present during these transactions. Surveillance footage showed Kelly entering fake information into the point-of-sale system while slipping watches into his suit jacket, investigators said.
Kelly stayed on staff until May 10, when the company terminated his employment. He was arrested less than a month later. Authorities did not say how the fraud was initially discovered.Clearwater is located about 20 miles west of downtown Tampa.
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