Thieves nabbed in $10K diamond heist get different sentences

A New Brunswickjudge described a diamond theft as a "professional hit"before handing down different sentences to a Toronto-area coupleguilty of stealing from a Saint John jewelry store.

Grigori Zaharov, 70, and Natalia Feldman, 44, were arrested in Vaughan, Ont.,on Oct. 19 after Saint John Police issued a Canada-wide warrant. The pair were captured on security cameras as they swapped a $10,000 diamond for a duplicate at W. Smith and Co. Fine Jewellers on Oct. 7.

• Suspects arrested in $10K diamond theft in Saint John

Justice Andrew LeMesurier, in provincial court in Saint John, gave Zaharova year in prison on top of his time already served, while Feldmanreceived a 12-month suspended sentence with probation. The maximum penalty for theft over $5,000 is two years in prison.

Crown prosecutorPatrick Wilbur described the couple as professional thieves working together, butthe Crown and defence agreed to file a joint submission for Feldman's sentence that recommended no additional time served, due to her lack of criminal record.

LeMesurier agreed with the recommendation,which will require Feldman to keep the peace and stay away from New Brunswick jewelry stores.

There was a stark difference in the penalty for Zaharov, whom Feldmansaid was her estranged husband (they still lived together). Wilbur said while the couple were involved in the same crime, "one can not compare these individuals and should not."

'This is what he does'

Wilbur pointed to Zaharov's long list of prior convictions dating back to 1979, many of which involved theft.

"This is what he does,"Wilbursaid, suggestingan additional four months of incarcerationalong with the same conditions imposed on Feldman. Zaharov's lawyer, Margaret Gallagher, argued her client deserved an equal sentence to Feldman.

Watch the security footage

8 years ago

Duration 3:33

The owner of a Saint John jewelry store believes he was the target of professional thieves after a middle-aged couple came in asking to look at diamonds and soon after, staff discovered a $10,000 stone was swapped for a fake.

LeMesurier disagreed with both recommendations, adding a full year on top of Zaharov'stime served.

"You have been a lifelong criminal,"LeMesuriertoldZaharov.

LeMesurier said despite Zaharov'sadvanced age and recordthere was nothing to suggest hehad any intention of changing his ways.

Zaharov will have the same conditions ofkeeping the peace and staying away from New Brunswick jewelry storeson his release.

'Good on her'

During the sentencing, LeMesurier commended Rhonda Dorie, the employee at W. Smith and Co. Fine Jewellers who first reported the theft.

"Good on her that she caught this,"he said, before admonishing Zaharov for putting the employee through the ordeal.

Though the diamond in the Saint John theft was recovered, W. Smith and Co. Fine Jewellers owner, Wayne Smith,said it hasn't been returned yet.

• Charlottetown Police lay charges in $20K diamond heist

The sentencing was met with disappointment at thestore.

Many of the employees, including Smith, felt the couple should have been dealt with more severely.

Smith addedthat he hoped otheralleged thefts the couple are linked tocould lead to a stiffer penalty.

Zaharov and Feldman are accused of swapping out two diamonds worth an estimated $20,000 for cubic zirconia at a store in Charlottetown.