NYC Diamond District Raid Connects to Star Athletes' Home Burglaries

In a major development, a recent FBI and NYPD raid on a New York City Diamond District business has revealed a potential connection to a string of burglaries targeting the homes of prominent athletes. Investigators believe the business served as a fencing operation for a South American transnational theft group responsible for these crimes.

The Raid:

On Tuesday, authorities raided a business (described as a pawn shop) on West 47th Street. Two men, Dimitriy Nezhinskiy and Juan Villar, were arrested and charged with conspiracy to receive and receiving stolen property. The raid yielded a significant amount of suspected stolen goods, including high-end watches, jewelry, and other luxury items.

<img src="https://media-cldnry.s-nbcnews.com/image/upload/t_fit-760w,f_auto,q_auto:best/rockcms/2025-02/250204-nypd-fbi-diamond-district-arrest-WNBC-snip-ac-434p-b7bf6e.jpg" alt="Authorities outside a Diamond District store during an arrest in New York City." >

The Connection to Athletes:

Investigators are exploring the link between the suspects and recent burglaries at the homes of several star athletes, including Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow. Evidence suggests that the arrested men knowingly purchased and resold stolen luxury goods.

Evidence:

The investigation has uncovered phone contact between Nezhinskiy and individuals suspected in the burglary of Burrow's home. Items allegedly stolen from Burrow's home, such as a Bengals hat and an LSU football shirt, were found in a vehicle used by suspects in Ohio.

Further Investigations:

The investigation is ongoing, with authorities looking into additional arrests potentially in Florida. The U.S. Attorney's office stated that Nezhinskiy and Villar's operation provided a key market for the stolen goods, fueling a larger criminal network.

The Impact:

The U.S. Attorney emphasized the significant impact of these burglaries on the public's sense of security, vowing to pursue those involved in this transnational criminal activity. The NFL and NBA issued security alerts in November, warning players about the increasing incidents of these types of crimes.