An Ontario pair who switched out a $10,000 diamond with a fake at a jewelry store in uptown Saint John have been sentenced after pleading guilty.
Judge Andrew Lemesurier has sentenced 70-year-old Grigori Zaharov to an additional one year in jail, going beyond the submission that was made by Crown prosecutor Patrick Wilbur of four months, though less than the maximum sentence of two years. He’s also been sentenced to one year probation.
The judge said a big factor in sentencing was Zaharov’s criminal record, which has 40 entries of convictions between 1979 and 2011. He listed some of them off, which include 15 thefts, one fraud, three weapons offences, and a stolen credit card.
Crown’s recommendation of 4 months not enough, says judge. Sentences Zaharov to 1 year of new time in jail plus 1 year probation #nbcourts.
— Laura Lyall (@LauraLyall) December 2, 2016
“You have been a life long criminal,” Lemesurier said to Zaharov, who was seated in the prisoner’s box along with 44-year-old Natalia Feldman for the sentencing in provincial court.
“This would appear to be a professional hit,” Lemesurier said about the diamond switch at the jewelry store. He said that the degree of planning and sophistication makes it more serious.
Crown’s Patrick Wilbur delivering his submission: ‘this is a crime of business & this is their income’ says they had ‘team approach’
— Laura Lyall (@LauraLyall) December 2, 2016
In stark contrast to Zaharov, Feldman has no prior criminal record and she was sentenced to a suspended sentence—no additional time behind bars and one year of probation.
Judge accepts the joint recommendation. Suspended sentence for Feldman, one year probation, is not allowed in any jewelry stores in NB.
— Laura Lyall (@LauraLyall) December 2, 2016
The two stole the diamond from W. Smith & Co in Brunswick Square on October 7 and were later arrested at their home in Vaughn, Ontario by the York Regional Police. Saint John police released surveillance images of the pair in the store following the diamond swap and that video was played for the court—Zaharov and Feldman confirmed that it was them in the video.
The stolen diamond has since been recovered.
Charlottetown police have issued arrest warrants for theft over $5000 for two, suspected of stealing two diamonds worth an estimated $20,000.
