CLEARWATER, Fla. (WFLA) — A former Gold & Diamond Source employee was arrested Thursday after Pinellas County deputies said he stole dozens of watches worth $650,000 from the Clearwater store.

The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office said detectives began investigating on May 15 after receiving a report that an employee stole from the Gold & Diamond Source on Ulmerton Road in Clearwater.

Investigators said they later learned that the employee, 32-year-old Michael Kelly, stole several high-end watches from the jewelry store between Oct. 31, 2021, and May 3, 2025.

According to the sheriff’s office, Kelly entered fake information into the point-of-sale system, making the business believe a watch sale occurred.

Kelly allegedly created false sales records indicating a customer traded in a watch and purchased another. However, deputies said Kelly would steal a watch from inventory and place it in his suit jacket.

The sheriff’s office said Kelly was seen on surveillance video entering fake trade-in transactions with no customer present.

Investigators said they have confirmed that Kelly stole 36 high-end watches from the business.

They said Gold & Diamond Source suffered a financial loss exceeding $650,000.

Kelly’s employment was terminated on May 10. He was charged with a scheme to defraud and taken to the Pinellas County Jail.