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
Events & AwardsDec 20, 2024
Two Participants Complete Inaugural Ella Klein InternshipJamie Dunton and Gabriella Botelho are the first graduates of the program, created by the WJA Foundation and Julius Klein Diamonds.
CollectionsDec 20, 2024
Piece of the Week: Retrouvaí’s Ring for CharityIn the spirit of giving, Retrouvaí will donate $4,000 from the sale of this ring to the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank.
IndependentsDec 19, 2024
Michigan’s DeVries Jewelers Unveils New Location in Time for the HolidaysCo-owner Dan DeVries shared what it’s like moving into a space triple the size of its old store and how it feels to be a “real jeweler” now.
Brought to you by
De Beers Group Launches Holiday Campaign for Natural Diamonds‘Forever Present’ campaign revives the iconic A Diamond is Forever tagline and celebrates the diamond dream.
CollectionsDec 19, 2024
State Property Transforms Spain’s Generalife Gardens into JewelryAlong with the latest “Gardens” collection, the brand has released limited-edition designs offering more indulgent pieces.
Weekly QuizDec 19, 2024
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingDec 19, 2024
The Second-Largest Diamond Ever Found Now Has a Name The 2,488-carat diamond recovered from a mine in Botswana has been dubbed “Motswedi” while its 1,094-carat sibling is “Seriti.”
SourcingDec 19, 2024
Gemfields Reports Record Ruby Auction Results Despite Challenges at SourceThe average price per carat hit a record high for the miner, which said it remains unaffected by the conflict in Mozambique.
Brought to you by
Advocacy and Excellence: How Jewelers of America Is Committed to Elevating Our Industry For over a century, Jewelers of America has been the voice of the industry and valuable resource to jewelers across the country.
AuctionsDec 18, 2024
Alexandrite Ring Sells for Record-Setting $1.9M at Sotheby’sThe nearly 17-carat stone made history for the color-change gem that, according to the auction house, is experiencing a “notable surge” in the market.
WatchesDec 18, 2024
Historic Titanic Pocket Watch Winds Its Way Back to Tiffany & Co. More than a century after survivors gifted a Tiffany timepiece to the captain of the ship that rescued them, the jeweler has reclaimed it.
TechnologyDec 18, 2024
Picchiotti Utilizes AI in ‘Spotlight’ Video CampaignThe videos highlight how pieces from the “Xpandable” and “Reversible Xpandable” collections put the wearer in the spotlight.
IndependentsDec 18, 2024
Industry Veteran Steve Feldman Set to RetireFeldman reflected on 45 years in the jewelry industry and clarified that it’s not a total retirement.
Events & AwardsDec 17, 2024
Chanel to Receive Gem Award for High Jewelry ExcellenceThe luxury brand is being honored for excellence in high jewelry design in its “Haute Joaillerie Sport” collection.
SourcingDec 17, 2024
Frank Circelli, Founder of Gem Shopping Network, Dies at 75Circelli was a pioneer in the world of TV shopping who is remembered for his passion for gemstones and his big personality.
AuctionsDec 17, 2024
Blue Diamond Fetches $8.8M at Christie’sThe nearly 6-carat stone headlined the recent jewelry auction, which also featured Mica Ertegun’s jewelry.
TrendsDec 16, 2024
Marion Fasel’s New Book Delves Into the History of Engagement Rings“The History of Diamond Engagement Rings: A True Romance” is a 128-page small-format book containing more than 165 images.
WatchesDec 16, 2024
Take a Look Inside the New Rolex Boutique on Rodeo DriveGearys opened a 6,200-square-foot Rolex store with a design that pays homage to the brand’s connection to the ocean.
GradingDec 16, 2024
GCAL By Sarine Expands 8X to 2 More Fancy Shapes The diamond cut grade is now available for marquise- and pear-shaped diamonds.
SourcingDec 16, 2024
Diamonds Do Good Announces 2025 Award RecipientsDDG said the honorees’ business practices embody a commitment to positive social impact, industry innovation, and community empowerment.
TrendsDec 13, 2024
Selena Gomez Said ‘Forever Begins Now’ to Marquise Diamond Engagement RingEstimates on the size and value of the solitaire diamond, which is mounted on a diamond pavé-set yellow gold band, vary.
TrendsDec 13, 2024
Piece of the Week: Martin Katz’s Tanzanite Drops These half-moon tanzanite earrings totaling 25 carats are part of a special trunk show taking place this weekend in Dallas.
Recorded WebinarsDec 13, 2024
Watch: The Highs and Lows of 2024The National Jeweler editors recap the top news, the best jewels, and their favorite stories of the year.
AuctionsDec 12, 2024
Tom Brady’s Watches Top $4M at Sotheby’s AuctionThe highest-grossing lot of the sale was the retired QB’s Rolex Paul Newman Daytona “John Player Special.”
SourcingDec 12, 2024
Grizzly Emerald Auction Garners $22.4MRecent expansion initiatives at the Zambian emerald mine have shown strong production numbers, said Grizzly founder Abdoulaye Ndiaye.
MajorsDec 12, 2024
Mark Henry Appoints New Director of SalesCarrie Forman joins the brand to guide it into the next phase of growth with major and independent retailers in the U.S. and abroad.
SourcingDec 12, 2024
De Beers Announces 2024 ‘Shining Light’ Award WinnersThe competition awarded 12 designers, each from a country where De Beers recovers diamonds, with business support and tuition assistance.
CollectionsDec 12, 2024
The Jared Atelier x Vera Wang Collection Emphasizes EleganceThe high jewelry collection features 14 one-of-a-kind pieces, with serpent and ribbon motifs winding their way through the collection.
