Tiffany vice-president facing 30 years in jail after she is accused of stealing $1.3m in diamond jewellery from New York store

Ingrid Lederhaas-Okun, 46, was arrested at home in Darien, Connecticut

Former executive, who lost her job in February, faces up to 30 years in jail if found guilty

Busted at Tiffany: Ingrid Lederhaas-Okun, 46, has been given a year in prison after stealing $1.2m jewellery

A former Tiffany vice-president was seized by FBI agents at her home on Tuesday after allegedly stealing more than $1.3million jewellery from the luxury store.

Ingrid Lederhaas-Okun, 46, was head of merchandise and product development for the New York brand whose luxury flagship store sits on 5th Avenue in Manhattan.



Lederhaas-Okun is accused of stealing 164 pieces including diamond bracelets, rings and pendants.



She faces up to 20 years in jail if found guilty.

Lederhaas-Okun was arrested at her home in the upmarket community of Darien, Connecticut early on Tuesday.



The 46-year-old has been charged with wire fraud and interstate transportation of stolen property.

As vice president of product development, Lederhaas-Okun had authority to 'check out' jewelry from Tiffany to provide to potential manufacturers to determine production costs.

Authorities allege that after she left Tiffany in February, the company discovered she had checked out 164 items that were never returned.

According to a criminal complaint, the missing jewelry included 'numerous diamond bracelets in 18-carot gold; diamond drop and hoop earrings in platinum or 18-carat gold; diamond rings in platinum; rings with precious stones in 18-carot gold; and platinum and diamond pendants'.

Ingrid Lederhaas-Okun pictured departing Manhattan Federal Court on Tuesday after her arraignment

Manhattan icon: Shoppers walk past the 5th Avenue flagship store of Tiffany where Lederhaas-Okun stole hundreds of thousands of dollars of jewellery