Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg Jr. today announced the indictment of YAORONG WAN, 49, for stealing approximately $260,000 worth of diamonds from Tiffany & Co. and Cartier in March 2024. WAN is charged in a New York State Supreme Court indictment with one count each of Grand Larceny in the Second Degree, Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the Second Degree, among other charges. [1]
“As alleged, Yaorong Wan stole diamond rings worth approximately $260,000 from two businesses earlier this year. Manhattan is the retail capital of the country, and we need our business community to thrive,” said District Attorney Bragg. “Our Office will continue to hold those accountable who put Manhattan’s businesses at risk. I thank the NYPD for their continuous partnership.”
“Mr. Wan’s purported career as a sleight-of-hand thief proved to be no match for the greatest detectives in the world,” said NYPD Commissioner Edward A. Caban. “The NYPD is committed to making our city safer for all New Yorkers by reducing crime, improving quality of life, and protecting every business that is helping rebuild our vital economy. I commend the members of the NYPD’s Major Case Squad and express gratitude to our partners at the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office for prosecuting this significant case.”
According to court documents and statements made on the record in court, on March 4, 2024, at approximately 2:51 p.m., WAN entered Tiffany & Co. on Fifth Avenue to inquire about multiple pieces of jewelry, including a diamond ring valued at approximately $225,000. After he examined the ring, he slipped it into his palm and switched the genuine ring with a counterfeit ring. WAN left the store without purchasing anything and the employee returned the ring to the display case without realizing it was counterfeit.
On March 11, 2024, the Tiffany & Co. store engaged in a routine inventory of the store’s jewelry and discovered that the genuine ring was replaced with a counterfeit ring. The genuine Tiffany ring contained a natural diamond mounted in platinum, while the counterfeit ring contained a cubic zirconia stone, and was mounted in 18-carat white gold. Additionally, the genuine ring contained engraving, hallmarking, and a unique SKU number, none of which were present on the counterfeit ring.
On March 12, 2024, at approximately 1:30 p.m., WAN entered Cartier in Hudson Yards and inquired about multiple pieces of jewelry, including two engagement rings and two watches. WAN held both diamond engagement rings in his hand and while the employee was distracted, WAN handed back one of the diamond rings while keeping the second ring in his hand, worth approximately $24,000. WAN placed the ring in his pocket and left the store without paying for the ring.
Assistant D.A. Adam Schuler (Trial Bureau 80) is handling the prosecution of this case under the supervision of Assistant D.A.s Tricia Phillips (Deputy Bureau Chief of Trial Bureau 80), Siobhan Carty (Bureau Chief of Trial Bureau 80) and Executive Assistant D.A. Lisa DelPizzo (Chief of the Trial Division).
D.A. Bragg thanked the NYPD, particularly Detective Scott Gomez of the NYPD Major Case Squad.
Defendant Information:
YAORONG WAN
QUEENS, NY
Charged:
- Grand Larceny in the Second Degree, a class C felony, one count
- Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the Second Degree, a class C felony, one count
- Grand Larceny in the Third Degree, a class D felony, one count
- Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the Third Degree, a class D felony, one count
###
[1] The charges contained in the indictment are merely allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. All factual recitations are derived from documents filed in court and statements made on the record in court.