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.
More on Crime
The Latest
Events & AwardsMay 26, 2026
CBG Brings Its Curated Designer Project to Las Vegas ShowThe Curated Designer Project has expanded to highlight eight independent jewelry designers during CBG’s Las Vegas show.
Events & AwardsMay 26, 2026
12 JCK Talks Sessions to Add to Your Las Vegas ScheduleThe trade show’s education series returns, with sessions on retail trends, AI, watches, marketing, corporate responsibility, and more.
TrendsMay 26, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: A Cooldown Is ComingBring a cool tone to your summer jewelry with these white metal pieces.
Brought to you by
All Eyes on Gold Prices. Alternatives to Look For. And What to BEWARE of in VegasAs gold prices rise, today’s retailers are looking for alternatives at prices that will appeal to wider audiences.
ColumnistsMay 25, 2026
The Key Mindset for Better Trade Show BuyingBuying discipline at trade shows starts with clarity about your inventory levels, Smith writes.
Weekly QuizMay 21, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Events & AwardsMay 22, 2026
Instore Buys JA New York ShowThe deal closed this week, which means Instore will produce the JA NY show slated to take place this fall.
FinancialsMay 22, 2026
Richemont’s Jewelry Brands Lead the Charge in Q4The company’s jewelry sales were up in Q4 and the fiscal year, with Richemont raising prices in part because of the cost of gold.
Brought to you by
How Modern Training Is Becoming a Competitive Advantage for Jewelry RetailersWith the trade and customer trust in mind, GIA® developed NextGem™ – on-demand training designed specifically for retail.
CollectionsMay 22, 2026
Leigh Maxwell Celebrates 5 Years at Couture With ‘Bauble’ CollectionThe “Bauble” capsule collection of colorful one-of-a-kinds includes our Piece of the Week, the “Bauble” earrings, featuring rose zircon.
MajorsMay 22, 2026
Stuller’s New Packaging, Display Catalog Is Out The updated catalog has a newly dedicated section for gift wrapping.
PodcastsMay 21, 2026
Episode 5: Sotheby’s Frank Everett Puts the Auction Market in PerspectiveEverett covers colored stones’ surging popularity, the mellow return of the “Mellon Blue,” and his “The Devil Wears Prada” doppelgänger.
IndependentsMay 21, 2026
Springer’s Jewelers’ New Flagship Will Serve Next-Gen Luxury ShoppersFourth-generation CEO Lilly Mullen wants to emphasize experience, connection, and personalized service.
Events & AwardsMay 21, 2026
JA Announces Nina Pugliese Memorial ScholarshipThe new award, created in partnership with Henne Jewelers, honors the late designer’s legacy through supporting jewelry education.
SourcingMay 21, 2026
Botswana, Angola Join WFDBThe addition of the diamond-producing countries as nation affiliated members broadens the federation’s global representation, WFDB said.
IndependentsMay 20, 2026
Adornment & Theory’s New Store Feels Like Home Designer Viviana Langhoff has realized her dream of owning a space for her Chicago jewelry store that looks and feels like her brand.
Events & AwardsMay 20, 2026
Here Is Couture’s 2026 Education Lineup The sessions will run from Friday, May 29, to Sunday, May 31, with one being a live taping of an episode of Couture’s podcast.
Lab-GrownMay 20, 2026
Savannah Friedkin Jewelry Names New CEOFormer Stephanie Gottlieb Fine Jewelry executive Morgan P. Richardson is joining the lab-grown diamond jewelry brand.
WatchesMay 19, 2026
Here’s the AP x Swatch Pocket Watch That Caused PandemoniumThe $400 pocket watch is a blend of Audemars Piguet’s iconic eight-sided Royal Oak and Swatch’s unserious Pop watches from the ‘80s.
CollectionsMay 19, 2026
Chris Ploof’s New Collection Makes an Ancient Metal ModernWith gold prices on the rise, the “Modern Electrum” collection uses an alternative, non-tarnishing metal alloy composed of gold and silver.
IndependentsMay 19, 2026
Ellen and Michael Fruchtman Retire, Sell Marketing Agency Fruchtman Marketing has new owners, Erin Moyer-Carballea and Manuel Carballea, and will relocate to Miami.
ColumnistsMay 19, 2026
Peter Smith: The (Mostly) Immutable Sales TruthsIn a column for the 2026 State of the Majors issue, Smith lists 10 time-tested principles about sales that still ring true.
ColumnistsMay 18, 2026
Edahn Golan: What a K-Shaped Economy Means for Fine JewelryIn a column for the 2026 State of the Majors issue, Golan spells out how the growing economic divide in the U.S. is reshaping the market.
CollectionsMay 18, 2026
Foundrae’s New Collection Taps Into JoyThe “Limitless Expansion of Joy and Hope” collection evokes summer through colored gemstones and motifs of butterflies and florals.
CollectionsMay 18, 2026
Hancocks London Acquires Historic ‘Inchiquin’ EmeraldThe jewel, circa 1890, is from the late Victorian era and was owned by descendants of the last high king of Ireland.
Events & AwardsMay 18, 2026
Here Are the 2026 JCK Industry Fund Grant Recipients This is what the nine recipients plan to do with the funds.
AuctionsMay 15, 2026
American Collector Ponies Up Almost $17K for John Wayne’s RingThe Western star’s 14-karat gold signet ring sold for six times its low estimate following a bidding war at U.K. auction house Elmwood’s.
Events & AwardsMay 15, 2026
JA, MJSA To Sponsor Roundtable at TJSThe discussion, "Rebuilding the Jewelry Workforce," will take place on Saturday, May 16, in Troy, Michigan.
