Thief who swiped $260K worth of jewelry from – Business News
A 50-year-old worldwide jewel thief from Queens has pleaded guilty to utilizing sleight-of-hand, misdirection and counterfeit jewelry to steal more than $260,000 worth of diamond rings from Tiffany & Co. and Cartier — ending a years-long world crime spree.
Yaorong Wan, who appeared in Manhattan Supreme Court on Monday, admitted to lifting high-value objects from the luxurious retailers’ swanky Fifth Avenue boutiques in March of final 12 months.
At Tiffany’s flagship store, Wan used distraction techniques and a faux ring to swap out a $225,000 diamond ring.
Yaorong Wan, a 50-year-old reputed worldwide jewelry thief, pleaded guilt in Manhattan Supreme Court this week to grand larceny. Steven Hirsch
Prosecutors stated Wan visited the Tiffany store final 12 months and inquired about a number of items of jewelry. He allegedly swapped the real platinum-mounted ring with a cubic zirconia faux and walked out with out making a buy, in keeping with the DA.
Just over a week later, he struck again at Cartier, pocketing a $24,000 ring whereas diverting workers’ consideration.
At the Cartier store in Hudson Yards, Wan examined two engagement rings and two watches, however managed to pocket one of the rings whereas the salesperson was distracted.
Authorities stated Wan’s ways — fast, skillful hand actions, misdirection and the strategic use of reproduction jewelry — are hallmarks of the high-end thefts that earned him worldwide notoriety.
At Tiffany’s flagship store, Wan used distraction techniques and a faux ring to swap out a $225,000 diamond piece. Steven Hirsch
Wan’s felony historical past stretches throughout continents.
He was beforehand needed by Interpol in reference to a $330,000 diamond theft in South Korea and has been linked to comparable circumstances in New Jersey, California, Florida and South Korea.
Wan had excellent warrants for his arrest in a number of jurisdictions.
Law enforcement officers stated he focused each world luxurious manufacturers and smaller unbiased jewelers, executing thefts with magician-like precision.
In April of final 12 months, Wan allegedly entered London Jewelers within the Manhasset part of Nassau County and used a sleight-of-hand trick to take a Chopard Watch valued at over $17,000.
Wan additionally stole an costly watch from the London Jewelers store in Manhasset, Long Island final 12 months. Matthew McDermott
Wan can be alleged to have stolen $332,000 worth of jewelry within the South Korean capital of Seoul in 2018.
Wan was arrested in May of final 12 months at his home in Flushing, Queens, following a coordinated investigation by the NYPD, Nassau County Police, and US Marshals. During the arrest, officers recovered a number of stolen objects, together with the $17,000 Chopard watch reported lacking from the Long Island jewelry store.
Last 12 months, Wan stole a $24,000 ring whereas diverting workers’ consideration at a Cartier store in Manhattan. REUTERS
Held with out bail attributable to excellent warrants in a number of jurisdictions, Wan pleaded guilty to grand larceny within the second degree. He is scheduled to be sentenced on July 14, 2025, and faces between three and 9 years in New York state jail.
“This defendant used deceptive sleight-of-hand techniques to steal hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth of high-end jewelry,” Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg stated in a assertion asserting the plea.
“Thanks to the collaboration between law enforcement agencies, we’ve put an end to his global theft operation.”
