CrimeApr 19, 2022
Man Found Guilty of Running $20M Retail Theft RingCrimeApr 20, 2022
Queens Jeweler Charged With Money Laundering
Stanislav Yakubov allegedly fenced goods for a crew that committed more than a dozen armed robberies.
New York—A New York City jeweler has been charged with money laundering after allegedly fencing goods for an area robbery crew.
According to court documents, between about October 2019 and November 2020, a violent group committed more than a dozen armed robberies of jewelers and luxury watch owners in the New York City metropolitan area.
The items stolen included a $500,000 Richard Mille watch and a diamond bracelet worth $28,000.
According to the indictment, Stanislav Yakubov, or “Steve,” a jeweler who sells watches and jewelry at a store in the Jamaica Colosseum Mall in Queens, New York, allegedly acted as a fence for the stolen watches.
He has been charged with one count of money laundering.
Officials arrested Victor Rivera in November 2020 for his role in the robberies. He was indicted that month.
According to court documents, Rivera pleaded guilty to committing or attempting to commit robberies of luxury watches earlier this year.
Johan Araujo, 40, has also been charged in connection to the robberies. He was arrested last July and has maintained his plea of not guilty, according to the court docket. His trial is set for Sept. 19.
Court documents state that one of the men has been cooperating with officials to identify what happened and who was involved in the robberies.
Yakubov’s attorney, Oliver Storch, said in a statement to National Jeweler that Yakubov is “devastated and shocked by these false allegations,” especially since he was the victim of an assault and robbery at his jewelry store.
He also said: “The cooperator’s credibility is highly suspect because they claim to have met with Mr. Yakubov in NYC when he was actually out of the country on a documented family vacation. We ask the public to withhold judgment until these allegations are properly addressed and resolved in the appropriate forum.”
In March 2021, the Jewelers’ Security Alliance issued a warning about a spate of high-end watch robberies in New York and Los Angeles, sharing the following safety tips for jewelers:
— Avoid conducting jewelry business in a public place;
— Do not resist in the event of an armed robbery; and
— Be mindful of the special risks involved in wearing expensive watches, and limit that risk accordingly.
Related stories will be right here …
According to court documents, between about October 2019 and November 2020, a violent group committed more than a dozen armed robberies of jewelers and luxury watch owners in the New York City metropolitan area.
The items stolen included a $500,000 Richard Mille watch and a diamond bracelet worth $28,000.
According to the indictment, Stanislav Yakubov, or “Steve,” a jeweler who sells watches and jewelry at a store in the Jamaica Colosseum Mall in Queens, New York, allegedly acted as a fence for the stolen watches.
He has been charged with one count of money laundering.
Officials arrested Victor Rivera in November 2020 for his role in the robberies. He was indicted that month.
According to court documents, Rivera pleaded guilty to committing or attempting to commit robberies of luxury watches earlier this year.
Johan Araujo, 40, has also been charged in connection to the robberies. He was arrested last July and has maintained his plea of not guilty, according to the court docket. His trial is set for Sept. 19.
Court documents state that one of the men has been cooperating with officials to identify what happened and who was involved in the robberies.
Yakubov’s attorney, Oliver Storch, said in a statement to National Jeweler that Yakubov is “devastated and shocked by these false allegations,” especially since he was the victim of an assault and robbery at his jewelry store.
He also said: “The cooperator’s credibility is highly suspect because they claim to have met with Mr. Yakubov in NYC when he was actually out of the country on a documented family vacation. We ask the public to withhold judgment until these allegations are properly addressed and resolved in the appropriate forum.”
In March 2021, the Jewelers’ Security Alliance issued a warning about a spate of high-end watch robberies in New York and Los Angeles, sharing the following safety tips for jewelers:
— Avoid conducting jewelry business in a public place;
— Do not resist in the event of an armed robbery; and
— Be mindful of the special risks involved in wearing expensive watches, and limit that risk accordingly.
More on Crime
The Latest
ColumnistsOct 01, 2025
Peter Smith: Why Vendor Success Starts With Self-ReflectionSmith shares the importance of looking at your company with openness and honesty to identify opportunities you may be missing.
EditorsOct 01, 2025
Playing Favorites: The Best Jewelry From VicenzaoroAssociate Editor Natalie Francisco visited Italy to spot jewelry trends at the September Vicenzaoro show and share her top finds.
SurveysOct 01, 2025
Consumer Confidence Hits 5-Month Low in September Respondents were concerned about job availability and rising prices.
FinancialsOct 01, 2025
Gemfields’ H1 Revenue Falls 47%Its latest interim financials revealed a challenging first half due in part to production troubles at its mines.
Weekly QuizSep 25, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
MajorsSep 30, 2025
Pandora CEO to Retire in 2026, Hand Reins to CMO Alexander Lacik has led Pandora since 2019. Berta de Pablos-Barbier will succeed him, the first woman to head the company.
CollectionsSep 30, 2025
Billie Eilish, Finneas Partner with John HardyThe “Lovestruck” collection, designed with the Academy and Grammy award-winning siblings, is the brand’s first lab-grown diamond offering.
Brought to you by
reDollar.com Is Rolling Out the Next Level Jewelry, Diamond & Watch Consignment ProgramWith their unmatched services and low fees, reDollar.com is challenging some big names in the online consignment world.
IndependentsSep 30, 2025
Spinelli Kilcollin Announces Residency in DallasThe brand, celebrating its 15th anniversary, has popped up at Market, a luxury fashion destination in Highland Park Village.
IndependentsSep 29, 2025
Nina Pugliese, Longtime Henne Jewelers Employee, Dies at 65She was remembered as a creative and generous woman of faith, who also had a sweet tooth.
TrendsSep 29, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Ear FocusMove over neck mess, the ear story is the way to make a layering statement today.
IndependentsSep 29, 2025
Mark Henry Jewelry to Debut in CanadaThe New York-based brand is set to launch a limited-time offering for the holiday season at Holt Renfrew in Toronto.
MajorsSep 29, 2025
Overnight Releases New Bridal CatalogThe “Volume 7” bridal catalog features best-selling engagement rings, trending styles, and a new section highlighting anniversary bands.
SurveysSep 26, 2025
Online Shopping, Influencers to Drive Holiday Spending, Mastercard SaysHoliday sales growth is expected to slow as consumers grapple with inflation and tariff-related uncertainty.
Events & AwardsSep 26, 2025
Winners of Austin Jewelry Design Contest Announced Jamie Turner Designs is among the winners of the local “Austin Shines” contest, hosted by Eliza Page, a jewelry store in Austin, Texas.
TrendsSep 26, 2025
Piece of the Week: Kwit Jewelry’s Square Signet Pinky RingThe red and azure colorway is one of many fun enamel pairings offered, bringing whimsy to the classic style of a monogramed signet ring.
Policies & IssuesSep 25, 2025
JA CEO Provides Tariff Update Following Annual Fly-InA trade deal with Switzerland seems probable, but reaching an agreement with India remains a challenge, David Bonaparte said.
SourcingSep 25, 2025
2 African Countries Aim to Take Stake in De Beers Botswana’s president said his country wants a controlling share, while Angola envisions multiple countries holding minority stakes.
Lab-GrownSep 25, 2025
Kira Jewels Expands Lab-Grown Diamond ProductionThe manufacturer is adding 1,400 chemical vapor deposition (CVD) reactors to its growing facility in India.
IndependentsSep 25, 2025
Alex Moss’ New Flagship Brings Bold Jewels to SoHoThe jeweler to the stars has worked with Drake, A$AP Rocky, Tyler the Creator, and other celebrities.
WatchesSep 25, 2025
Wilson & Son Jewelers Donates to the Horological Society of New YorkThe Scarsdale, New York-based jeweler donated a professional-grade watch cleaning machine.
Policies & IssuesSep 24, 2025
Tariffs Throw Diamond Trade Into DisarrayThe 50 percent tariffs on diamonds shipped from India to the U.S. have pushed midstream manufacturers to the edge.
SourcingSep 24, 2025
De Beers Adopts New Strategies to Drive Natural Diamond Demand in IndiaDe Beers’ refreshed, multipronged approach, which includes generic promotions and retail partnerships, is delivering positive dividends.
Policies & IssuesSep 24, 2025
For Jewelry Manufacturers, Higher Tariffs Create Long-Term WorriesThey are trying to balance the need to sustain well-established relationships with the pressure higher tariffs have put on margins.
SourcingSep 24, 2025
A Helping Hand: An Effort to Boost Inclusivity in the IndustryJewelry manufacturer Jewelex has partnered with JOSH, an industry training center, on a program for people with disabilities.
CollectionsSep 24, 2025
Greenwich St. Jewelers Goes Back in Time With First Estate CollectionThe collection includes pieces dating back to the Victorian and Art Deco periods as well as mid-century and late 20th-century designs.
Policies & IssuesSep 24, 2025
Diamonds Do Good Names Marcus ter Haar as President-ElectHe previously served as co-chair of the nonprofit’s beneficiary committee.
