On the 22nd of April in 2025 according to reports by the Broward Sheriff’s Office Robbery Unit on Tuesday revealed that seven pawn shop employees were arrested for their involvement in a standing racketeering scheme that resulted in significant financial losses for major national retailers. The detectives uncovered that workers, at U.S Pawn were allegedly buying stolen goods from thieves or boosters for a period of time. The stolen goods comprised products such as over the counter drugs and beauty items alongside tools and electronics that were predominantly unopened and taken from popular stores before being resold on online marketplaces or e commerce platforms.The inquiry was initiated back in 2022. Is estimated to have inflicted significant financial losses on retailers like CVS,Walgreens,Homme Depot,Publix and Walmart among others totaling millions of dollars.The thefts took place throughout Broward County and, across Florida. The stores collaborated extensively with the authorities during the three year inquiry period. After thorough investigations were conducted by detectives it was established that the illicit activities were orchestrated and managed by Igor Melomed, the proprietor of U.S Pawn shop and extended down to employees at levels. Apart, from the seven individuals apprehended on Tuesday two employees had been detained earlier. Below are the names of the detained individuals and the offenses they are accused of committing. In December of 2023 law enforcement officers executed search warrants at U.S. Pawn outlets in Hollywood – one on the street and another in a warehouse situated at 5450 South State Road 7. They confiscated over 50 pallets of stolen goods valued at over $750k. On that day officers also conducted searches at a different U.S. Pawn store in Fort Lauderdale at 400 W. Sunrise Blvd. Investigators mentioned that the scale retail theft was so widespread that some thieves would make multiple transactions, with stolen items within the same day. The inquiry is still ongoing. The individuals arrested are Igor Melomed who’s 46 years old and was born on October 1978. He is facing one charge of racketeering.Marie Turene is a 34 year woman born on January 10th in 1990s. She has been charged with one count of racketeering and one count of dealing in stolen property. William LaCroix is a 58 year man born on October 5th in 1966. He faces one count of racketeering. Lyndon Johnson is a 37 year man born on January 25th in the late ’80s. He has been accused of one count of racketeering and three counts of dealing in stolen property. Edward Ibragimov is a 39 year man born on March 17th in the mid ’80s with one charge of racketeering, against him. Lastly Kevin Gilyard is a 37 year man born on September 26th in the late ’80s with charges including one count of racketeering and one count of dealing stolen property. Three individuals involved in activities have been identified as follows;. Luis Bustos Diaz. A 36 year old male with one count of racketeering.. Natalia Kudelina. A 49 year female with one count of dealing in stolen property.. Natalia Khodyreva. A 40 year female, with two counts of dealing in stolen property. The investigation is being carried out by Robbery Detective S.Halleran and CID Robbery Sergeant R.Rossman.
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