

The Canadian Press





SAINT JOHN, N.B. -- A New Brunswick jeweller says he's "ecstatic" that an Ontario couple suspected in a string of nationwide jewelry heists pleaded guilty to stealing a $10,000 diamond from his Saint John store.

Seventy-year-old Grigori Zaharov and 44-year-old Natalia Feldman of Vaughan both pleaded guilty to theft over $5,000 in Saint John provincial court Thursday.

The prosecutor's office says they are scheduled to appear for sentencing on Dec. 1.

Wayne Smith, who owns W. Smith and Co. Fine Jewellers, said Friday that he was happy that the heist saga appeared to be drawing to a quick conclusion.

"We'll soon I understand be getting our diamond back," said Smith. "I just can't thank my employees enough for being on top of it ... justice is served."

The pair presented themselves as a couple in an argument over how many carats to buy, and then in the blink of an eye switched a $10,000 diamond with a fake while the salesperson was distracted.

Saint John police have said the duo who pulled the Oct. 7 Saint John heist are "suspects in numerous other jurisdictions for similar incidents" from Vancouver to Atlantic Canada, and multiple police forces have been working on the file. In particular, police have accused the couple of swapping out two diamonds worth an estimated $20,000 at a store in Charlottetown.

Smith, who was not at the court hearing, said he believes the key to the case was his store's sophisticated camera system.

"It showed everything, and that's why I don't think there was any contest of them pleading guilty," he said.

Smith, who has more than 40 years of experience in the jewelry industry, said the lesson for those in the business is to "spend some money on video equipment."

"You have got to have proof for the police to react," said Smith.

The couple were arrested last month on a Canada-wide warrant in connection with the Oct. 7 theft outside a Vaughan condo tower and flown back to New Brunswick.