CrimeFeb 05, 2025
‘The Timepiece Gentleman’ Sentenced to 5-Plus Years Behind Bars CrimeFeb 11, 2025
2 Men Charged With Selling Stolen Jewelry, Watches in NYC Diamond District
One of the men is said to be connected to the South American crew charged with burglarizing Cincinnati Bengals QB Joe Burrow’s home.
Two men, identified as Dimitriy Nezhinskiy and Juan Villar, who operated a business in New York City’s Diamond District, were charged with running a fencing operation for South American theft groups.
New York—Two men have been charged with running a fencing operation in New York City’s Diamond District, selling watches and jewelry stolen by burglary gangs based out of South America.
Last week, an indictment was unsealed in federal court in Brooklyn, New York, charging 43-year-old Dimitriy Nezhinskiy of North Bergen, New Jersey, and 48-year-old Juan Villar of Queens, New York, with conspiracy to receive stolen property related to their purchasing of stolen goods that traveled across state lines.
The men were arrested on Feb. 4, according to a release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York.
The indictment alleges that between 2020 and 2025, the men conspired with others to receive and purchase stolen property, including jewelry, watches, handbags, and other luxury items that had been stolen outside of New York and transported into the state.
The men allegedly served as “fences,” individuals who knowingly buy stolen property and then sell it to make money, for burglary crews based in South America.
These crews are said to travel around the United States targeting wealthy neighborhoods and jewelry vendors.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office said evidence links Nezhinskiy and Villar to several thefts around the country, including crimes committed by Bryan Leandro Herrera Maldonado, a “prolific” burglar who committed at least 16 residential burglaries across the U.S. between 2019 and 2020.
“The defendants’ alleged actions incentivized highly organized South American theft groups to continue their meticulous looting scheme against a myriad of affluent residences and businesses across the country,” said James Dennehy, the assistant director in charge of the FBI’s New York field office.
“With our law enforcement partners, the FBI will continue to dismantle any criminal activity curated to capitalize on victims’ losses and establish an economic demand for ill-obtained merchandise within our city.”
Phone records and video surveillance allegedly also link Nezhinskiy to at least two members of a four-man crew believed to be involved in the Dec. 9 burglary of the home of “a high-profile athlete in Ohio,” the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.
Last week, an indictment was unsealed in federal court in Brooklyn, New York, charging 43-year-old Dimitriy Nezhinskiy of North Bergen, New Jersey, and 48-year-old Juan Villar of Queens, New York, with conspiracy to receive stolen property related to their purchasing of stolen goods that traveled across state lines.
The men were arrested on Feb. 4, according to a release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York.
The indictment alleges that between 2020 and 2025, the men conspired with others to receive and purchase stolen property, including jewelry, watches, handbags, and other luxury items that had been stolen outside of New York and transported into the state.
The men allegedly served as “fences,” individuals who knowingly buy stolen property and then sell it to make money, for burglary crews based in South America.
These crews are said to travel around the United States targeting wealthy neighborhoods and jewelry vendors.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office said evidence links Nezhinskiy and Villar to several thefts around the country, including crimes committed by Bryan Leandro Herrera Maldonado, a “prolific” burglar who committed at least 16 residential burglaries across the U.S. between 2019 and 2020.
“The defendants’ alleged actions incentivized highly organized South American theft groups to continue their meticulous looting scheme against a myriad of affluent residences and businesses across the country,” said James Dennehy, the assistant director in charge of the FBI’s New York field office.
“With our law enforcement partners, the FBI will continue to dismantle any criminal activity curated to capitalize on victims’ losses and establish an economic demand for ill-obtained merchandise within our city.”
Phone records and video surveillance allegedly also link Nezhinskiy to at least two members of a four-man crew believed to be involved in the Dec. 9 burglary of the home of “a high-profile athlete in Ohio,” the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.
Three men believed to be part of a South American Theft Group have been indicted for federal crimes related to the burglary of an NFL player’s Cincinnati home. The case is being investigated by the #FBI & the SW Ohio South American Theft Group Task Force. https://t.co/dS0LJ8FooW pic.twitter.com/Tuf2Oc2xfb
— FBI Cincinnati (@FBICincinnati) February 5, 2025
It has been widely reported that this athlete is Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow, whose home was burglarized on that day while he was playing an away game against the Dallas Cowboys.
The four-man crew who allegedly burglarized Burrows’ house were arrested during a traffic stop in Clark County, Nevada, in January.
Notably, last October, the homes of two other NFL stars, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and tight end Travis Kelce, were broken into days apart.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office did not respond when asked if the three burglaries are believed to be connected.
Evidence shows Nezhinskiy was in contact with the four-man crew less than one week before the burglary in Ohio, said officials.
According to the release, an undercover detective went to the Diamond District to investigate Nezhinskiy and Villar’s operation.
Between October 2022 and January 2024, the detective made seven controlled sales of purported stolen property, including luxury handbags and accessories, to the two at their business.
The undercover detective told the men that these goods had been stolen, said officials, and received cash in exchange.
On Feb. 4, officials executed a search warrant on Nezhinskiy and Villar’s pawn shop in the Diamond District, seizing “large quantities” of allegedly stolen property, including dozens of luxury watches and jewelry, as well as cash and cannabis.
Law enforcement simultaneously searched storage units belonging to Nezhinskiy in New Jersey, uncovering even more allegedly stolen property, including jewelry, high-end handbags, wine, sports memorabilia, and artwork, according to the release.
Officials also found power tools they said are commonly used in burglaries and for opening safes.
Nezhinskiy and Villar were arraigned on Feb. 5 and their attorneys entered not guilty pleas to the charges.
The pair attempted to be let out on bail but a judge denied their requests, as per a New York Post report, with a trial date set for Aug. 4.
Their attorneys said both men would be interested in plea deals, and both plan to appeal the judge’s decision to deny/revoke bail, according to the Post.
If Nezhinskiy and Villar are convicted of receipt of stolen goods, they face up to 10 years in prison.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Crime
The Latest
SourcingAug 19, 2025
Dubai’s Jemora Group Buys Diamond Miner LucapaThe investment company, founded by Dev Shetty, has acquired the struggling miner and its assets, including the Lulo mine in Angola.
ColumnistsAug 19, 2025
Peter Smith: The Arrival Fallacy and Jewelry RetailSmith shares wisdom he gleaned from a podcast he was listening to one morning while being walked by his dog, a Malshi named Sophie.
MajorsAug 19, 2025
MJSA Apprenticeship Program Is Nationally RecognizedThe MJSA Mentor & Apprenticeship Program received the Registered Apprenticeship Program designation by the U.S. Department of Labor.
Brought to you by
Rallying Call for the Jewelry Industry on Tariffs and Other Key IssuesJewelers of America is leading the charge to protect the industry amidst rising economic threats.
WatchesAug 19, 2025
Casio America Names New Timepiece Division ManagerCasio executive and watch enthusiast Masaki Obu is the new general manager of its U.S. timepiece division.
Weekly QuizAug 15, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
MajorsAug 18, 2025
Verragio’s Michael Barabash, a ‘Kind Soul,’ Dies at 58Barabash, Verragio’s client relations representative, was a vital member of the team and is remembered as being warm and full of life.
CollectionsAug 18, 2025
John Hardy’s New ‘Dot’ Collection Is on PointOriginally introduced in 1992, the “Dot” collection is back with a capsule featuring five archival designs and three new creations.
Brought to you by
Taking the Moment Head On: How Rio Grande Champions the Present & Future of Fine JewelryAs a leading global jewelry supplier, Rio Grande is rapidly expanding and developing new solutions to meet the needs of jewelers worldwide.
Events & AwardsAug 18, 2025
IJO Announces 2025 Vendor of the YearAllison-Kaufman has received the honor for the fourth year in a row.
FinancialsAug 15, 2025
In Q2 Results, Pandora Talks Tariffs, Q4 Plans The company had a solid second quarter, with sales of non-charm jewelry outpacing sales of pieces in its core collections.
EditorsAug 15, 2025
Piece of the Week: Etho Maria’s Showgirl-Approved Ruby Drop Earrings Taylor Swift dons the vibrant pair in new promotional imagery for her upcoming album, “The Life of a Showgirl,” set to release in October.
WatchesAug 15, 2025
Audemars Piguet Acquires Majority Stake in ManufacturerIts investment in micromechanics expert Inhotec will preserve skills essential to the watchmaking industry as a whole, said the company.
MajorsAug 15, 2025
Rio Grande Names New Marketing DirectorNicolette Bianchi joins the wholesale provider with more than 15 years of cross-industry experience in marketing and product development.
CollectionsAug 14, 2025
In Midst of ‘Sardine Girl Summer,’ Pippa Small Looks to ‘Flounder Fall’Her new “Ocean” collection was inspired by Myanmar’s traditional articulated fish jewelry, with depictions of flounder, catfish, and more.
MajorsAug 14, 2025
Casio America Names New CEOLongtime Casio executive Yusuke Suzuki is the new president and CEO of Casio’s U.S. subsidiary.
SourcingAug 14, 2025
West Coast Orgs to Host Trading Event, Mixer in LAThe full-day sourcing and networking event, slated for Aug. 18, will be followed by the fifth annual Mega Mixer Summer Soirée.
TrendsAug 13, 2025
Cristiano Ronaldo Proposes With Gigantic Oval-Cut DiamondModel Georgina Rodríguez received a rock of an engagement ring, with her diamond estimated to be 35 carats, experts say.
SourcingAug 13, 2025
ICA Names 2025 Board of DirectorsThe board elected 9 new directors at its recent ICA Congress in Brazil.
TrendsAug 13, 2025
Colorado Jeweler, Whiskey Maker Collab on Ring GiveawayThree winners will receive a custom ring from Honest Hands Ring Co. inlaid with a piece of history from Denver-based distillery Stranahan’s.
SurveysAug 13, 2025
These Are The 25 Hottest Retailers, Says NRFJD Sports and Wawa were among the fastest-growing retail companies in the U.S. last year.
SourcingAug 13, 2025
Columbia Gem House Launches Winza Sapphires, RubiesThe new inventory, all untreated, features vibrant hues and unique bicolor combinations.
SourcingAug 12, 2025
Gemfields Sells Fabergé for $50MAcquired by a tech investor, the historic brand will continue to focus on jewelry, accessories, and timepieces.
Policies & IssuesAug 12, 2025
Higher Tariff on Chinese Imports Paused for 90 Days, Trump SaysPresident Donald Trump issued an executive order extending the pause on higher tariffs to November as negotiations with China continue.
CollectionsAug 12, 2025
Jacquie Aiche’s New Collection Harnesses the Energy of the ThunderbirdThe “Thunderbird Slab” collection features a thunderbird motif as a symbol of power, protection, and boundless possibility.
ColumnistsAug 12, 2025
Creative Connecting: How to Take a Better HeadshotColumnists Jen Cullen Williams and Duvall O’Steen share tips on how to elevate your professional image.
IndependentsAug 11, 2025
Lisa Bridge to Depart Ben Bridge JewelerThe retailer, owned by Berkshire Hathaway, is becoming part of the Berkshire Hathaway Jewelry Group with Helzberg.
Events & AwardsAug 11, 2025
Bethenny Frankel to Give Keynote at CBG’s Experience ShowThe Continental Buying Group’s 2025 Tampa Experience Show is slated for Sept. 8-10.
