convicted

Orlando, Florida – Suspect steals $800K in jewelry from Tiffany & Co., swallows evidence during arrest.

ORLANDO, Fla. — A brazen thief got away with nearly $ 800,000 worth of luxury jewelry from the Tiffany’s store at the Mall at Millenia.

Orlando Police say the suspect, Jaythan Gilder pretended to be a representative for an Orlando Magic player, and he was ushered to a private viewing area.

That’s when police say he grabbed the jewels and took off in a car outside of the mall.

Police say he made it all the way to Washington County, where state troopers pulled him over for a traffic violation. When he was caught, police say he swallowed the jewelry. You can see some of the jewels in body scans taken shortly after his arrest.

Gilder remains in the Orange County Jail. Police say they’ve since learned the suspect is accused of a similar robbery at a Tiffany’s store in Texas in 2022.

He will eventually be extradited to Colorado, where he is wanted on 48 outstanding warrants.

Article Provided by WFTV9 News. Click here to view.

convicted

New York, NY- D.A. Bragg Announces Guilty Plea In Diamond Swap.

New York, NY- Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg Jr. today announced the guilty plea of MANASHE SEZANAYEV, 41, for defrauding two diamond merchants by covertly swapping their diamonds for lab grown stones – worth substantially less than natural stones – that were cut to resemble the diamonds that the merchants had been offering for sale.

SEZANAYEV pleaded guilty in a New York State Supreme Court to Grand Larceny in the Second Degree. Under the terms of his plea, he is expected to be sentenced to 5 years of probation and make restitution in the amount of $200,000, which has already been paid. The $200,000 diamond was also returned to the victim. SEZANAYEV pleaded guilty on February 27, 2025.

“Manashe Sezanayev is facing accountability for stealing diamonds from merchants and replacing them with fake stones,” said District Attorney Bragg. “We will continue to prosecute those who take advantage of consumers and conduct business deals in a dishonest manner.”

According to court documents and statements made on the record, and as admitted in the defendant’s guilty plea, in early 2024, SEZANAYEV operated his company, Rachel’s Diamonds, in the Diamond District in Manhattan.

On February 5, 2024, a diamond merchant visited SEZANAYEV at his office with two diamonds that SEZANAYEV claimed to be interested in buying, valued at approximately $185,000 and $75,000. SEZANAYEV inspected the two stones and turned his back to the merchant to weigh them on his scale. He swapped the diamonds for lab grown stones that had been recut to imitate the natural stones and inscribed with forged Gemological Institute of America (“GIA”) laser inscriptions.

On March 27, 2024, SEZANAYEV told a second diamond merchant that he had a customer interested in buying that merchant’s diamond, valued at approximately $200,000. That same day, SEZANAYEV purchased a lab grown stone that was later recut to resemble that natural diamond and inscribed with a forged GIA laser inscription to mimic that natural diamond.

On April 2, 2024, the second merchant met with SEZANAYEV and the purported customer, and SEZANAYEV examined the merchant’s diamond. That merchant later learned that the stone SEZANAYEV returned to him was a lab grown diamond that was cut to resemble his stone.

Assistant D.A. Minji Kim (Financial Frauds Bureau) is handling the prosecution of this case under the supervision of Assistant D.A.s Hope Korenstein (Deputy Bureau Chief of the Financial Frauds Bureau), Kelly Thomas (Deputy Bureau Chief of the Financial Frauds Bureau) and Kofi Sansculotte (Bureau Chief of the Financial Frauds Bureau) and Executive Assistant D.A. Jodie Kane (Chief of the Investigation Division). Financial Frauds Paralegal Varun Gaitonde is providing valuable assistance in the case. Former Assistant D.A. Ben Rose also handled the prosecution of this case.

D.A. Bragg thanked the NYPD, particularly Detective Joseph Metsopulos of the Major Case Squad. He also thanked GIA for their work in this investigation.

DOJ

Las Vegas, NV- Felon sentenced to 26 years in prison for Las Vegas armed robberies, assault of federal officer.

Las Vegas, NV– A Las Vegas man who has prior felony convictions was sentenced Monday in two separate cases involving armed robberies of two jewelry stores and assaulting a detention officer while in custody.

Wyatt Scott Peterson, 42, received 26 years in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release, according to a U.S. Department of Justice release.

According to court documents, Peterson entered an EZ Pawn in Las Vegas on Dec. 12, 2016, and demanded the keys to the jewelry case. During the course of the robbery, he brandished a 9mm semi-automatic handgun to intimidate employees into not resisting and complying with his demands, authorities said. The firearm was discharged into a display case during the robbery.

Peterson stole at least $40,000 and left the store, according to prosecutors.

Nine days later, Peterson entered a Super Pawn in Las Vegas and demanded the keys to the jewelry case, prosecutors said. He stole 29 rings, three pairs of earrings, and five bracelets combined worth more than $20,000 before he left the store, the release said.

While detained pending trial for the armed robbery case at the Nevada Southern Detention Center in Pahrump, Peterson confronted and punched a detention officer at the stairwell.

Peterson has two prior felony convictions in Washington and one in in Clark County.

Article provided by Tony Garcia at tgarcia@reviewjournal.com.

glendale

GLENDALE, CA- GRAB AND RUN

Glendale, CA– On March 01, 2025, a jewelry store in Glendale, CA experienced a grab & run theft incident. Upon entry into the store the suspect requested to see a big chain along with a pendant. After being informed only one piece could be shown at a time, the suspect was shown a chain. While the chain was on the suspect’s neck and shortly after he viewed himself in the mirror, the suspect ran out with the chain. Mall Security and Glendale Police Department were notified whereupon an investigation was initiated.

Suspect(s) Description: Black male, approx. 35-39 yrs. old, 5’8”, 200pds, dreadlocks. Wearing dark colored zip up sweat top with “DEPT” on front, ripped blue jeans, white tennis shoes

If you have any information regarding this incident or information on this suspect, please contact the Jewelers’ Security Alliance at jsa2@jewelerssecurity.org or 212-687-0328.

pd2

Brooklyn, NY- Suspect accused of stealing $6K ring from Brooklyn jewelry store: NYPD

WILLIAMSBURG, Brooklyn – Police are searching for a suspect accused of stealing from a Brooklyn jewelry store on Feb. 13, according to the NYPD.

It happened at 243 Grand St. in Williamsburg around 2:15 p.m., police said. The suspect allegedly stole a ring worth $6,900, according to authorities. He then fled the store to parts unknown, police said.

If you have any information regarding this incident or information on this suspect, please contact the Jewelers’ Security Alliance at jsa2@jewelerssecurity.org or 212-687-0328.

To view video article provided by News 11, click here.

charlotte2

Charlotte, NC – Three people wanted for stealing jewelry from Charlotte pawn shop

Charlotte, NC– Three people are wanted after pictures capture them smashing display cases at a Charlotte pawn shop, according to Charlotte Crime Stoppers.

Around 5:45 p.m. on Feb. 22, three suspects wearing hoods, masks, and sunglasses entered National Pawn at 2905 Eastway Drive. Officials say they smashed glass display cases and stole jewelry from the store. The men allegedly drove a stolen vehicle which was found abandoned not far from the store.

To view the article provided by Logan Jennes of Queens City News with additional photos, click HERE.

If you have any information regarding this incident or information on these suspects, please contact the Jewelers’ Security Alliance at jsa2@jewelerssecurity.org or 212-687-0328.

wyomissing

WYOMISING, PA- GRAB AND RUN.

On February 23, at the Berkshire Mall in Wyomissing, PA, a jewelry store reported a theft. An employee left a tray of diamond pendants out on the center island, while she was assisting a customer. With her back turned, a male suspect, approached the kiosk and began looking around. He had noticed the tray of diamond pendants on the center island and when the employee had her attention on the other customer, the suspect leaned over and stole the tray. He left on foot in an unknown direction.

Suspect(s) Description: Spanish Male, about 5’8” with athletic build, about 200 lbs., in his mid 30s. Wearing black hoodie and black ball cap with white lettering.

If you have any information regarding this incident or information on this suspect, please contact the Jewelers’ Security Alliance at jsa2@jewelerssecurity.org or 212-687-0328.

47th street arrest

New York, NY- 2 arrested amid FBI search in Diamond District in connection to burglaries targeting pro athletes.

MIDTOWN, Manhattan – The FBI searched locations in Manhattan’s Diamond District in connection with the recent rash of burglaries targeting professional athletes and two arrests were made.

A search warrant was executed at 75 West 47th Street on Tuesday around 11:30 a.m.

Dimitriy Nezhinskiy, 43, and Juan Villar, 48, are charged with conspiracy to receive stolen property as part of an alleged fencing operation tied to the South American theft groups behind the string of burglaries targeting professional athletes, including Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow.

The two men are accused of buying luxury items linked to burglaries across the country and then selling them from a pawn shop in the Diamond District. The suspects allegedly bought stolen property from Bryan Leandro Herrera Maldonado, who’s accused of committing 16 residential robberies across the U.S. between 2019 and 2020.

Nezhinskiy was arrested Tuesday in New Jersey and Villar in Manhattan. The two are due to appear in court in Downtown Brooklyn on Wednesday.

“As alleged, the defendants created an illicit market and fueled demand for burglaries by South American Theft Groups and other crews around the country by purchasing stolen watches, jewelry and other luxury items, and then re-selling them in their New York City store,” said United States Attorney John Durham.

For almost five years, authorities say Nezhinskiy and Villar served as unlawful brokers to sell stolen luxury items by purchasing them from burglary crews based out of South America. The stolen property, including jewelry, watches, handbags and assorted luxury items, had been swiped from homes outside of New York and transported into the state, prosecutors said.

According to the indictment, phone records and video surveillance links Nezhinskiy to at least two members of a four-man burglary crew believed to be involved in the December 9, 2024 burglary of Burrow.

An undercover detective conducted seven controlled sales of purported stolen property, between October 2022 and January 2024, including high-end handbags and luxury accessories, to Nezhinskiy or Villar, or both, at their business location in Manhattan’s Diamond District.

During these controlled sales, the undercover detective provided the defendants with items that the undercover told the defendants had been stolen, and received cash in exchange for the stolen goods, the indictment said.

During Tuesday’s search on West 47th Street, authorities seized large quantities of suspected stolen property, including dozens of high-end watches and jewelry. Law enforcement also recovered large quantities of cash and marijuana.

Simultaneously, law enforcement executed a search warrant at storage units belonging to Nezhinskiy in New Jersey where an additional cache of suspected stolen property was found. From inside Nezhinskiy’s storage units, law enforcement recovered large quantities of luxury goods and clothing, including high-end handbags, wine, sports memorabilia, jewelry, artwork and power tools consistent with those commonly used in burglaries and opening safes.

Article provided by ABC News, click here to view article and video.

Wash2

PULALLUP, WA- BURGLARY AT THE SOUTH HILL MALL.

Puyallup, WA– at the South Hill Mall, a burglary was reported. Just prior to the mall opening, 2 suspects broke into the mall and went straight to this kiosk. The first suspect entered the kiosk and using a small hatchet begin striking the tops of the showcases and the wooden doors. While struggling to gain entry, the suspect #2, climbed on top of the showcases and began jumping on them to aid in the shattering of the showcase top. Once entry was gained the first suspect continues to two others. Various weapons were used to enter three showcases. Numerous items were removed and placed into a cardboard box which had been located on site. These items were then removed from the site as the two suspects fled the location without being detected.

Suspect(s) Description:

Suspect 1: described as white, tall with a thin to medium build. The suspect wore black and white running shoes, medium-colored blue jeans was fade or distressed patterns on the front. They were black winter jacket over top of a black shirt. The suspect wore a black mask or face covering and a Black Hat. The suspect wore black gloves.

Suspect 2: described as female with a thin build approximately 5 foot 6 inches tall in her late 20s to early 30s. She wore white running shoes, light pink track pants. She wore a black winter jacket with a hood over top of a white T-shirt. The suspect appeared to have long hair dyed white or grey. She wore a black mask during most of the robbery but not all of it. She also wore black gloves

If you have any information regarding this incident or information on these suspects, please contact the Jewelers’ Security Alliance at jsa2@jewelerssecurity.org or 212-687-0328.