The FBI and NYPD raided a jewelry business in midtown Manhattan, as investigators look into a possible link between the business and a series of home burglaries targeting wealthy individuals across the country, including pro athletes such as Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce and Joe Burrow. NBC New York’s Marc Santia reports.
The FBI and NYPD raided a Diamond District business Tuesday that investigators say worked with a South American transnational theft group that has been targeting homes belonging to wealthy individuals across the country.
Investigators said they are looking into whether any suspects involved in recent burglaries of numerous star athletes’ homes are connected to the alleged fencing location. A "fencing" operation involves the buying and selling of stolen goods.
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One man was arrested Tuesday morning on West 47th Street near Sixth Avenue. Dozens of FBI agents and NYPD Major Case detectives searched the second-floor business, seizing dozens of high-end watches and other jewelry that was believed to be stolen. Large amounts of cash and marijuana were also taken by the feds and police.
A second man was taken into custody later in the day in New Jersey, officials familiar with the case said.
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Prosecutors later identified the two men arrested as Dimitriy Nezhinskiy and Juan Villar, the latter of whom was arrested during the raid in midtown Manhattan. The pair was charged with multiple counts related to purchasing stolen goods that crossed state lines between 2020 and 2025.
"The defendants 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,” said John Durham, the U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of New York.
According to a criminal indictment, Nezhinskiy and Villar conspired to obtain stolen goods — including jewelry, watches, handbags and assorted luxury items — that had been stolen from outside of New York, and bring into the state to sell. The duo acted as "fences" for burglary crews based out of South America who would allegedly go around the country pulling off burglaries, typically targeting wealthier neighborhoods, court documents state.
Prosecutors said both men were linked to at least two members of a four-man crew believed to be involved in the Dec. 9, 2024, burglary at the home of Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow in Ohio, phone records and surveillance video showed. Nezhinskiy allegedly had been in contact with the crew less than a week before the burglary.
From Oct. 2022 until Jan. 2024, an undercover detective conducted more than a half-dozen sales of purported stolen items like luxury handbags and accessories to Nezhinskiy or Villar, or both, at the business location in the Diamond District. The undercover detective told them the items were stolen, and received cash in exchange.
A search of a storage unit belonging to Nezhinskiy turned up more stolen property, according to prosecutors, including handbags, wine, sports memorabilia, jewelry, artwork and power tools that are commonly used to open safes during burglaries.
Officials speaking on condition of anonymity cautioned the investigation is ongoing. Brooklyn U.S. Attorney spokesman John Marzulli declined comment.
“For almost five years, Dimitriy Nezhinskiy and Juan Villar allegedly served as unlawful brokers to perpetuate the sale of stolen luxury items by purchasing them from burglary crews," said FBI Assistant Director in Charge Dennehy. "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."
If convicted, Nezhinskiy and Villar face up to 10 years in prison.
Two sources said additional arrests were expected in Florida in connection with a South American transnational theft group that is believed to be targeting the homes of NFL and NBA players and other wealthy individuals. Neither the U.S. attorney's office in Tampa nor the FBI's Tampa office immediately responded to requests for comment Tuesday.
The NFL and NBA in November issued security alerts to players advising them of break-ins, some of which happened while players were on the road with their teams. NBA star Luka Doncic along with other players like Bobby Portis and Mike Conley Jr. have had their homes targeted. Also falling victim, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and tight end Travis Kelce.
