CrimeJan 12, 2023
Thieves Steal $2M in Jewelry in Another Brooklyn RobberyCrimeFeb 06, 2023
Queens Jeweler Convicted of Laundering Stolen Luxury Watches
A jury found Stanislav Yakubov guilty of money laundering and making false statements to federal law enforcement agents.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office of the Southern District of New York is asking anyone who knows the whereabouts of the stolen watches pictured to contact them. Jeweler Stanislav Yakubov has been convicted of laundering the stolen goods.
New York—It’s the end of the road for a jeweler accused of laundering stolen luxury watches.
A jury found Stanislav “Steve” Yakubov, owner of a jewelry store in the Jamaica Colosseum Mall in Queens, New York, guilty on one count of money laundering and two counts of making false statements to federal law enforcement agents, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York Damian Williams announced Feb. 1.
U.S. District Judge Edgardo Ramos presided over the eight-day trial. Ramos will sentence 42-year-old Yakubov on June 1.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Yakubov agreed to purchase stolen luxury watches valued at hundreds of thousands of dollars. Some of the watches were stolen from jewelers in Yakubov’s community, and some in violent armed robberies.
“Yakubov’s actions fueled a year-long robbery spree that targeted nearly a dozen victims, and his conviction sends a message to the community that the purchase and laundering of stolen property will be vigorously investigated and prosecuted,” said U.S. Attorney Damian Williams.
There are 10 robberies and attempted robberies to which Yakubov is linked.
The robberies took place in 2019 and 2020, according to evidence presented at trial and the trial’s superseding indictment.
On Oct. 3, 2019, a Long Island City, New York, jeweler was robbed of a Richard Mille watch worth more than $150,000.
On Oct. 25, 2019, a Jamaica, New York, jeweler was robbed of a Rolex worth more than $118,000.
On Dec. 10, 2019, a Brooklyn, New York, jeweler was robbed of a Patek Philippe worth more than $160,000, as well as a diamond necklace valued at over $77,000.
On Oct. 25, 2019, a Jamaica, New York, jeweler was robbed of a Rolex worth more than $118,000.
On Dec. 10, 2019, a Brooklyn, New York, jeweler was robbed of a Patek Philippe worth more than $160,000, as well as a diamond necklace valued at over $77,000.
On Jan. 14, 2020, a Rego Park, New York, jeweler was robbed of a Richard Mille watch worth more than $500,000.
On Feb. 16, 2020, a Jamaica Estates, New York, jeweler was robbed of an Audemars Piguet watch worth over $28,000. On. Feb. 20, 2020, an individual in Long Island City was robbed of a watch valued at over $125,00.
On Feb. 16, 2020, a Jamaica Estates, New York, jeweler was robbed of an Audemars Piguet watch worth over $28,000. On. Feb. 20, 2020, an individual in Long Island City was robbed of a watch valued at over $125,00.
Things cooled off during the earliest pandemic lockdowns, when jewelry stores were closed, but resumed in June 2020.
On June 11, 2020, a Hoboken, New Jersey, jeweler was robbed of a Richard Mille timepiece valued at more than $81,000. On July 6, 2020, another jeweler in Hoboken was robbed of a Richard Mille watch worth more than $180,000.
On July 20, 2020, there was an attempted robbery of a Richard Mille watch worth more than $180,000 from a jeweler in Queens.
Finally, on Aug. 2, 2020 a food critic and social media influencer was robbed of a Richard Mille watch worth more than $250,000 in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey.
In all of these successful robberies, additional items were stolen, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.
As for the robbers themselves, one of the men, Victor Rivera, pleaded guilty to participating in a conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery between October 2019 and November 2020. Rivera used guns to commit several of the robberies and in one, shot a victim who survived.
He was sentenced to more than 19 years in prison.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office of the Southern District of New York is asking anyone with knowledge of the whereabouts of the stolen watches to contact them at 1-866-874-8900.
In addition to Yakubov’s money laundering conviction, he was also convicted of two counts of making false statements to federal law enforcement agents.
The former carries a maximum 20-year sentence and the latter a five-year maximum sentence each.
More on Crime
The Latest
MajorsSep 10, 2026
Lagos Founder Steven Lagos Steps Down as CEO Keith Rolfe, CFO and COO of Lagos, is now at the jewelry brand’s helm while Steven takes on the role of executive chairman.
AuctionsSep 10, 2026
Massive Matched Pair of Paraíba Tourmalines Head to Sotheby’sThe “Kat Florence Luminas” will be offered together as one lot and could fetch up to $637,000.
SourcingSep 10, 2026
AGTA Announces 4 Newly Elected DirectorsFour directors were elected to the AGTA board and will serve three-year terms beginning in February.
Brought to you by
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSubmit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.
AuctionsSep 10, 2026
Former Sotheby’s, Christie’s Exec Appointed CEO of Julien’s Auctions Ken Citron joins the celebrity memorabilia-focused auction house ahead of its first week-long series of events in Abu Dhabi.
Weekly QuizSep 03, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
FinancialsSep 09, 2026
Signet Jewelers to ‘Double Down’ on Blue Nile Amid Strong SalesThe jewelry retailer said it sees opportunity at higher price points, particularly in natural diamonds for bridal and fashion.
IndependentsSep 09, 2026
Sarah Leonard Fine Jewelers Closes After Nearly 80 YearsThe Los Angeles-based, family-owned jeweler was founded by Lenny and Sunny Friedman in 1946.
Brought to you by
Why More Jewelry Retailers Are Hosting Turnkey Estate Buying EventsRetailers are seeking new ways to attract customers, increase traffic, and create revenue – Estate buying events are a popular solution.
SourcingSep 09, 2026
Fura Gems Notes ‘Remarkable’ Interest in Larger Rubies at Latest SaleThe auction, held in Bangkok, was 96 percent sold by lot, with nearly 411,000 carats of Mozambiquan rubies sold.
MajorsSep 09, 2026
Stuller’s Latest Catalog Includes Its New Demi-Fine CollectionFine Jewelry 2027-2028 has more than 900 new styles, including silver, gold-filled, gold-plated sterling silver, and vermeil jewelry.
Policies & IssuesSep 09, 2026
8 Key Changes the FTC Made to the Jewelry Guides: A Refresher Learn more about the new terms for lab-grown diamonds and composite gemstones, and the major changes in store for precious metals jewelry.
IndependentsSep 08, 2026
Ricky Bromberg, Longtime President of Bromberg & Co., Dies at 67 Bromberg is remembered as a Southern gentleman who always wore a suit and tie and treated others with kindness.
TrendsSep 08, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: A Hot Take on September’s Birthstone With high durability and a wide range of colors to choose from, sapphires may be the ultimate birthstone, Gizzi claims.
ColumnistsSep 08, 2026
Peter Smith: Humor Is No Laughing MatterLaughter is often considered a distraction in the workplace, but it has benefits for both staff and management, Peter Smith writes.
MajorsSep 08, 2026
Former Tiffany & Co. Exec Joins Exemplar Luxury GroupGretchen Koback Pursel is the new chief people officer at the company formerly known as Saks Global.
IndependentsSep 04, 2026
Orloff Jewelers Will Soon Unveil a Bigger, Better LocationThe California jeweler is renovating its store in Fresno, with plans to show off the new space in December.
CollectionsSep 04, 2026
Chelsea Gabrielle Transforms Pilates Reformer Springs Into Ring A lifelong practitioner of Pilates, Gabrielle looked to the springs’ tension and suspension when creating this ring, our Piece of the Week.
Events & AwardsSep 04, 2026
JCK Industry Fund Accepting 2027 ApplicationsThe deadline to apply is Nov. 13.
AuctionsSep 04, 2026
Christie's Names New Global Head of WatchesThe auction house has promoted Remi Guillemin, formerly its head of watches for the Americas and EMEA, to the role.
EditorsSep 03, 2026
Q&A: Simon G.’s CEO on Why He Won’t Use AI for Jewelry DesignZaven Ghanimian discussed the value of human craftsmanship and where the implementation of artificial intelligence does work.
Events & AwardsSep 03, 2026
Here Are the First Recipients of Nina Pugliese Memorial Scholarship Jewelers of America also revealed the recipients of the Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship and its own scholarship programs.
WatchesSep 03, 2026
Robert Pattinson Joins Jaeger-LeCoultre as Brand AmbassadorThe British actor, known for his roles in “Twilight” and “The Odyssey,” will star in a campaign for the Master Control Chronometre.
CollectionsSep 03, 2026
Sydney Evan Celebrates 25 Years With 4 New CollectionsThe “Confetti Disco,” “Champagne Cheers,” “Tuxedo,” and “Classic Punk” jewelry collections each capture a distinct spirit of celebration.
AuctionsSep 02, 2026
If You Love Cats, This Jewelry Auction Is for YouCat ladies of the jewelry world, unite. Sandy Lerner’s “significant” collection of cat jewelry and other objects is going up for auction.
MajorsSep 02, 2026
Messika Names Former Omega Exec as New President, CEO of AmericasArnaud Michon, the former Omega USA President, will now lead Messika’s Americas region during its international development.
Events & AwardsSep 02, 2026
Emerald’s New Owner Introduces ‘Glitter in the Grove’The branding references the back-to-back jewelry shows that new parent company Forge will host in Miami's Coconut Grove this November.
AuctionsSep 01, 2026
UK Woman Uncovers Rare Patek Philippe Watch in Mom’s Jewelry BoxThe stainless steel Patek Philippe “Calatrava” watch from the 1930s sold for nearly $80,000 at a recent Hansons Cornwall auction.
