The FBI recently conducted a raid on a pawn shop located in New York City's Diamond District, resulting in the arrest of two individuals, Dimitriy Nezhinskiy and Juan Villar. The men are facing charges related to conspiring to receive stolen goods, particularly jewelry, watches, and handbags, in connection with a series of burglaries.
According to an indictment unsealed in the Eastern District of New York, Nezhinskiy and Villar are accused of creating an illicit market by purchasing stolen items from South American theft groups and burglary crews. The charges include conspiracy to receive stolen property and multiple counts of receiving stolen property dating back to November 2020.
US Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, John J. Durham, stated that the defendants allegedly fueled demand for burglaries by purchasing stolen luxury items and reselling them in their New York City store. The investigation revealed phone records and video surveillance linking Nezhinskiy to a burglary crew involved in a high-profile athlete's home burglary in Ohio.
Furthermore, federal investigators have warned professional athletes in the NFL, NBA, and NHL about organized groups targeting their homes while they are away playing games. Recent incidents include burglaries at the homes of NFL players Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce, as well as NBA players Luka Doncic, Mike Conley Jr., and Bobby Portis.
Nezhinskiy and Villar are accused of operating a 'fencing' operation, accepting stolen goods to sell for profit. During the raid on their pawn shop, authorities seized suspected stolen goods, cash, and marijuana. Additional luxury items were found in Nezhinskiy's storage units, along with tools commonly used in burglaries.
If convicted, the defendants face up to 10 years in prison. Prosecutors have requested their detention ahead of trial, citing public safety concerns and flight risks. Nezhinskiy, a Georgian national, has a history of criminal convictions, while Villar, a US citizen, has a prior assault conviction related to burglary.
