Nine U.S. Pawn employees are accused of knowingly buying and reselling millions in stolen products from top retailers across Florida.
According to the Broward Sheriff’s Office (BSO) Robbery Unit, U.S. Pawn intentionally paid for stolen things brought to them by criminals or boosters. Investigators said the items included pharmaceuticals, health and beauty products, tools, and electronics, all of which were subsequently sold online.
The inquiry revealed that the thefts occurred throughout Florida, not just in Broward County.
CVS, Walgreens, Home Depot, Publix, Walmart, and other shops apparently collaborated with the BSO during the inquiry.
In December 2023, a search warrant was served at the US Pawn warehouse on the 5400 block of South State Road 7 in Hollywood, according to a BSO news release.
Detectives said they confiscated 50 pallets worth around $750,000 during the warrant. On the same day, officers searched a Fort Lauderdale pawn shop at 400 W. Sunrise Blvd.
According to detectives, organized retail theft was so prevalent that some offenders had to conduct numerous transactions of stolen products every day.
In addition to the seven employees arrested on Tuesday, BSO says two more were previously arrested.
Not all mugshots have been made available at this time. The probe is still ongoing.
Among the arrested:
- Igor Melomed, 46, one count of racketeering
- Marie Turene, 34, one count of racketeering, one count of dealing in stolen property
- William LaCroix, 58, one count of racketeering
- Lyndon Johnson, 37, one count of racketeering, three counts of dealing in stolen property
- Edward Ibragimov, 39, one count of racketeering
- Kevin Gilyard, 37, one count of racketeering, one count of dealing in stolen property
- Luis Bustos Diaz, 36, one count of racketeering
- Natalia Kudelina, 49, one count of dealing in stolen property
- Natalia Khodyreva, 40, two counts of dealing in stolen property
