Latest news with #Nezhinskiy
Yahoo
07-02-2025
- Yahoo
Pawnbrokers raided in connection with Joe Burrow burglary denied bail days before the Super Bowl
NEW YORK (AP) — Two owners of a New York City pawnshop that was raided by the FBI in connection with an investigation into a burglary at the home of Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow were denied bail Friday, with a federal judge saying it would be 'ironic' to release the men just two days before the Super Bowl. 'No thank you. This is one Super Bowl Defendants will have to watch from the sidelines,' U.S. District Court Judge William Kuntz wrote in his decision ordering Dimitriy Nezhinskiy and Juan Villar held until their August trial date. 'They will not be players this weekend.' FBI agents on Tuesday swept into the men's pawnshop in Manhattan's Diamond District, an area that is a little more than a city block but is home to more than 2,600 jewelers and serves as a conduit for a majority of the diamonds that enter the United States. Prosecutors said a cache of suspected stolen property was found at the pawnshop and storage units in New Jersey belonging to Nezhinskiy. The shop, prosecutors said, served as a fencing operation that provided an 'essential market' for stolen goods that encouraged burglary crews to target wealthy homes around the country. Nezhinskiy and Villar haven't been charged in connection with specific robberies, but prosecutors in New York said phone records link Nezhinskiy to one of the men charged with ransacking Burrow's house while he was playing in a game last year. The men charged in the burglary took photos of themselves flashing some of the spoils, which included jewelry, watches, designer luggage and glasses. One even wore necklaces with pendants showing the number 9 and 'JB9,' Burrow's jersey number. That break-in followed other robberies targeting other big-name American athletes. Among the high-end homes hit by international robbery crews were those of NFL quarterback Patrick Mahomes and tight end Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs, who are vying for their third straight title when they face the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday in New Orleans. Prosecutors say the thieves also plundered luxury items from the homes of Luka Doncic of the NBA's Los Angeles Lakers, and Mike Conley Jr. of the Minnesota Timberwolves. The investigation into the brazen burglaries has spanned several states and led to at least six arrests, though it's unclear whether there are any links between those thefts. Prosecutors say the crews, consisting of foreign nationals from South America, mostly hit the homes while athletes were out of town, including when competing with their teams on road games. Nezhinskiy's lawyer said he would immediately appeal the decision to jail his 43-year-old client, a Georgian national who lives in New Jersey. A magistrate judge had earlier set bail at $1 million secured by two family properties in New Jersey and $150,000 in cash. 'The family is extremely upset with this change of events,' Todd Greenberg said after the hearing. 'They expect him to be home to fight this case.' Villar's lawyer said he was also considering an appeal. 'It's alarming,' Lauriano Guzman said, noting his 48-year-old client, who lives in New York City, had been released less than 24 hours earlier after having posted $500,000 bail. The lawyers had pushed back at the suggestion from prosecutors that the crimes their clients were charged with were violent. Prosecutors argued the two, who have pleaded not guilty to stolen property charges, had lengthy criminal records, posed a danger to the community and were flight risks. 'Their conduct promotes the victimizing of individuals in their homes and endangering communities on a large scale,' prosecutors wrote in legal filings. 'This conduct was not isolated, instead, it has been ongoing for years.' ___ Follow Philip Marcelo at Philip Marcelo, The Associated Press
Yahoo
07-02-2025
- Yahoo
Pawnbrokers raided in connection with Joe Burrow burglary denied bail days before the Super Bowl
NEW YORK (AP) — Two owners of a New York City pawnshop that was raided by the FBI in connection with an investigation into a burglary at the home of Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow were denied bail Friday, with a federal judge saying it would be 'ironic' to release the men just two days before the Super Bowl. 'No thank you,' said U.S. District Court Judge William Kuntz as he ordered Dimitriy Nezhinskiy and Juan Villar held until their August trial date. 'This is one Super Bowl they'll have to sit on the sidelines for.' FBI agents on Tuesday swept into the men's pawnshop in Manhattan's Diamond District, an area that is a little more than a city block but is home to more than 2,600 jewelers and serves as a conduit for a majority of the diamonds that enter the United States. See for yourself — The Yodel is the go-to source for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories. By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. Prosecutors said a cache of suspected stolen property was found at the pawnshop and storage units in New Jersey belonging to Nezhinskiy. The shop, prosecutors said, served as a fencing operation that provided an 'essential market' for stolen goods that encouraged burglary crews to target wealthy homes around the country. Nezhinskiy and Villar haven't been charged in connection with specific robberies, but prosecutors in New York said phone records link Nezhinskiy to one of the men charged with ransacking Burrow's house while he was playing in a game last year. The men charged in the burglary took photos of themselves flashing some of the spoils, which included jewelry, watches, designer luggage and glasses. One even wore necklaces with pendants showing the number 9 and 'JB9,' Burrow's jersey number. That break-in followed other robberies targeting other big-name American athletes. Among the high-end homes hit by international robbery crews were those of NFL quarterback Patrick Mahomes and tight end Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs, who are vying for their third straight title when they face the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday in New Orleans. Prosecutors say the thieves also plundered luxury items from the homes of Luka Doncic of the NBA's Los Angeles Lakers, and Mike Conley Jr. of the Minnesota Timberwolves. The investigation into the brazen burglaries has spanned several states and led to at least six arrests, though it's unclear whether there are any links between those thefts. Prosecutors say the crews, consisting of foreign nationals from South America, mostly hit the homes while athletes were out of town, including when competing with their teams on road games. Nezhinskiy's lawyer said he would immediately appeal the decision to jail his 43-year-old client, a Georgian national who lives in New Jersey. A magistrate judge had earlier set bail at $1 million secured by two family properties in New Jersey and $150,000 in cash. 'The family is extremely upset with this change of events,' Todd Greenberg said after the hearing. 'They expect him to be home to fight this case.' Villar's lawyer said he was also considering an appeal. 'It's alarming,' Lauriano Guzman said, noting his 48-year-old client, who lives in New York City, had been released less than 24 hours earlier after having posted $500,000 bail. The lawyers had pushed back at the suggestion from prosecutors that the crimes their clients were charged with were violent. Prosecutors argued the two, who have pleaded not guilty to stolen property charges, had lengthy criminal records, posed a danger to the community and were flight risks. 'Their conduct promotes the victimizing of individuals in their homes and endangering communities on a large scale,' prosecutors wrote in legal filings. 'This conduct was not isolated, instead, it has been ongoing for years.' ___ Follow Philip Marcelo at
The Independent
07-02-2025
- The Independent
Pawnbrokers raided in connection with Joe Burrow burglary denied bail days before the Super Bowl
Two owners of a New York City pawnshop that was raided by the FBI in connection with an investigation into a burglary at the home of Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow were denied bail Friday, with a federal judge saying it would be 'ironic' to release the men just two days before the Super Bowl. 'No thank you,' said U.S. District Court Judge William Kuntz as he ordered Dimitriy Nezhinskiy and Juan Villar held until their August trial date. 'This is one Super Bowl they'll have to sit on the sidelines for.' FBI agents on Tuesday swept into the men's pawnshop in Manhattan's Diamond District, an area that is a little more than a city block but is home to more than 2,600 jewelers and serves as a conduit for a majority of the diamonds that enter the United States. Prosecutors said a cache of suspected stolen property was found at the pawnshop and storage units in New Jersey belonging to Nezhinskiy. The shop, prosecutors said, served as a fencing operation that provided an 'essential market' for stolen goods that encouraged burglary crews to target wealthy homes around the country. Nezhinskiy and Villar haven't been charged in connection with specific robberies, but prosecutors in New York said phone records link Nezhinskiy to one of the men charged with ransacking Burrow's house while he was playing in a game last year. The men charged in the burglary took photos of themselves flashing some of the spoils, which included jewelry, watches, designer luggage and glasses. One even wore necklaces with pendants showing the number 9 and 'JB9,' Burrow's jersey number. That break-in followed other robberies targeting other big-name American athletes. Among the high-end homes hit by international robbery crews were those of NFL quarterback Patrick Mahomes and tight end Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs, who are vying for their third straight title when they face the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday in New Orleans. Prosecutors say the thieves also plundered luxury items from the homes of Luka Doncic of the NBA's Los Angeles Lakers, and Mike Conley Jr. of the Minnesota Timberwolves. The investigation into the brazen burglaries has spanned several states and led to at least six arrests, though it's unclear whether there are any links between those thefts. Prosecutors say the crews, consisting of foreign nationals from South America, mostly hit the homes while athletes were out of town, including when competing with their teams on road games. Nezhinskiy's lawyer said he would immediately appeal the decision to jail his 43-year-old client, a Georgian national who lives in New Jersey. A magistrate judge had earlier set bail at $1 million secured by two family properties in New Jersey and $150,000 in cash. 'The family is extremely upset with this change of events,' Todd Greenberg said after the hearing. 'They expect him to be home to fight this case.' Villar's lawyer said he was also considering an appeal. 'It's alarming,' Lauriano Guzman said, noting his 48-year-old client, who lives in New York City, had been released less than 24 hours earlier after having posted $500,000 bail. The lawyers had pushed back at the suggestion from prosecutors that the crimes their clients were charged with were violent. Prosecutors argued the two, who have pleaded not guilty to stolen property charges, had lengthy criminal records, posed a danger to the community and were flight risks. 'Their conduct promotes the victimizing of individuals in their homes and endangering communities on a large scale,' prosecutors wrote in legal filings. 'This conduct was not isolated, instead, it has been ongoing for years.'
Associated Press
07-02-2025
- Associated Press
Pawnbrokers raided in connection with Joe Burrow burglary denied bail days before the Super Bowl
NEW YORK (AP) — Two owners of a New York City pawnshop that was raided by the FBI in connection with an investigation into a burglary at the home of Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow were denied bail Friday, with a federal judge saying it would be 'ironic' to release the men just two days before the Super Bowl. 'No thank you,' said U.S. District Court Judge William Kuntz as he ordered Dimitriy Nezhinskiy and Juan Villar held until their August trial date. 'This is one Super Bowl they'll have to sit on the sidelines for.' FBI agents on Tuesday swept into the men's pawnshop in Manhattan's Diamond District, an area that is a little more than a city block but is home to more than 2,600 jewelers and serves as a conduit for a majority of the diamonds that enter the United States. Prosecutors said a cache of suspected stolen property was found at the pawnshop and storage units in New Jersey belonging to Nezhinskiy. The shop, prosecutors said, served as a fencing operation that provided an 'essential market' for stolen goods that encouraged burglary crews to target wealthy homes around the country. Nezhinskiy and Villar haven't been charged in connection with specific robberies, but prosecutors in New York said phone records link Nezhinskiy to one of the men charged with ransacking Burrow's house while he was playing in a game last year. The men charged in the burglary took photos of themselves flashing some of the spoils, which included jewelry, watches, designer luggage and glasses. One even wore necklaces with pendants showing the number 9 and 'JB9,' Burrow's jersey number. That break-in followed other robberies targeting other big-name American athletes. Among the high-end homes hit by international robbery crews were those of NFL quarterback Patrick Mahomes and tight end Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs, who are vying for their third straight title when they face the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday in New Orleans. Prosecutors say the thieves also plundered luxury items from the homes of Luka Doncic of the NBA's Los Angeles Lakers, and Mike Conley Jr. of the Minnesota Timberwolves. The investigation into the brazen burglaries has spanned several states and led to at least six arrests, though it's unclear whether there are any links between those thefts. Prosecutors say the crews, consisting of foreign nationals from South America, mostly hit the homes while athletes were out of town, including when competing with their teams on road games. Nezhinskiy's lawyer said he would immediately appeal the decision to jail his 43-year-old client, a Georgian national who lives in New Jersey. A magistrate judge had earlier set bail at $1 million secured by two family properties in New Jersey and $150,000 in cash. 'The family is extremely upset with this change of events,' Todd Greenberg said after the hearing. 'They expect him to be home to fight this case.' Villar's lawyer said he was also considering an appeal. 'It's alarming,' Lauriano Guzman said, noting his 48-year-old client, who lives in New York City, had been released less than 24 hours earlier after having posted $500,000 bail. The lawyers had pushed back at the suggestion from prosecutors that the crimes their clients were charged with were violent. Prosecutors argued the two, who have pleaded not guilty to stolen property charges, had lengthy criminal records, posed a danger to the community and were flight risks. 'Their conduct promotes the victimizing of individuals in their homes and endangering communities on a large scale,' prosecutors wrote in legal filings. 'This conduct was not isolated, instead, it has been ongoing for years.' ___
Yahoo
07-02-2025
- Yahoo
2 men charged in connection with theft group operation targeting pro athletes
Two men who federal authorities say 'incentivized' South American theft groups targeting the homes of U.S. professional athletes were arrested in New York City on Tuesday following an FBI raid on a pawn shop in Manhattan's Diamond District. The men, Dimitriy Nezhinskiy, 43, and Juan Villar, 48, were charged with conspiracy to receive stolen property as part of an alleged 'fencing' operation. They are due to appear in federal court in Brooklyn on Wednesday. As defined by the Department of Justice, those involved in fencing operations buy stolen goods 'knowing some or all of them may be illicit,' then resell them, thereby creating a 'fence' around the stolen merchandise. See for yourself — The Yodel is the go-to source for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories. By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. In a statement announcing the charges, United States Attorney John Durham said the men allegedly "created an illicit market and fueled demand for burglaries by South American Theft Groups and other crews around the country by purchasing stolen watches, jewelry and other luxury items, and then re-selling them in their New York City store." According to the indictment unsealed Tuesday, between 2020 and 2025 the defendants conspired to 'receive and purchase stolen property, including jewelry, watches, handbags and assorted luxury items that had been stolen outside of the state of New York and transported into New York.' Prosecutors say Nezhinskiy and Villar 'regularly served as 'fences' for burglary crews based out of South America who traveled around the United States committing burglaries, typically targeting wealthier neighborhoods or jewelry vendors, and stealing luxury accessories.' Prosecutors say evidence — including phone records and surveillance footage — links Nezhinskiy to at least two members of a four-man burglary crew believed to be involved in the 'Dec. 9, 2024, burglary of a high-profile athlete in Ohio.' Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow's home in Anderson Township, Ohio, was burglarized on that date. According to investigators, Nezhinskiy was in contact with that crew less than one week before the Dec. 9 burglary, the records show. The U.S. Attorney's Office in the Eastern District of New York said that law enforcement executed search warrants Tuesday at Nezhinskiy and Villar's business in Midtown as well as storage units belonging to Nezhinskiy in New Jersey, seizing large quantities of suspected stolen property, including dozens of high-end watches, handbags, jewelry, wine, sports memorabilia, artwork and 'power tools consistent with those commonly used in burglaries and opening safes.' Nezhinskiy and Villar each face up to 10 years in prison if convicted. In late December, the FBI issued a report warning professional sports leagues in the United States that 'organized theft groups' from South America were behind the string of burglaries at the homes of star athletes. 'These homes are targeted for burglary due to the perception they may have high-end goods like designer handbags, jewelry, watches, and cash,' the FBI said. The break-ins were preplanned and appear designed to take place when the athletes were not home, according to the FBI. In November, the NBA and the NFL issued memos to players and coaches warning that the theft groups appear to be taking advantage of the timing of the star athletes' schedules, targeting their homes on game days. Here is a partial list of burglaries that have taken place at the homes of sports stars since September: Sept. 15: NBA guard Mike Conley Jr. of the Minnesota Timberwolves had his home broken into while he was attending a Minnesota Vikings game, and jewelry was stolen. Sept 16: The Minnesota home of NBA forward Karl Anthony Towns was burglarized, with thieves getting away with property worth more than $100,000. Oct. 6: Local police were called to the home of Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes after a break-in was reported by a member of his security team the night before an Oct. 7 home game. 'It's disappointing. I can't get into too many details because the investigation is still ongoing,' Mahomes said during a Nov. 13 press conference. Oct. 7: A thief broke into Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce's home while he was playing against the New Orleans Saints. Police had confirmed that $20,000 in cash was stolen but did not previously disclose a stolen watch that has now been recovered in Providence, R.I. Nov. 2: The home of Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis was broken into while he was playing a game against the Cleveland Cavaliers. He has offered a $40,000 reward for information that leads to the return of his belongings after he put out a plea on social media saying that thieves took 'most of my prized possessions.' Nov. 29: Dallas Stars hockey player Tyler Seguin reported that $500,000 in watches were stolen from his home while he was playing a home game at American Airlines Arena. No one was home at the time of the robbery, though video of the crime was captured by security cameras. Dec. 9: The Ohio home of Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow was broken into while Burrows was in Texas playing a game against the Dallas Cowboys. Dec. 23: Thieves targeted then-Dallas Mavericks forward Luka Doncic's home in North Dallas, making off with $30,000 in jewelry.
