River Vale man arrested in connection with Englewood jewel heist, prosecutors say

Frank Lashvili

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A River Vale jeweler is accused of receiving stolen property and “fencing” in connection to an October 2017 heist in Englewood, when thieves cut a hole in the roof of Le Cristal Jewelry and made off with $275,000 in valuable stones, prosecutors said last week.

Frank Lashvili, 56, of Rivervale Road, was arrested on April 5, said Acting Prosecutor Dennis Calo.

Authorities investigating the Le Cristal Jewelry heist revealed that the burglary was committed by a crew, including Kevin Lyde, 55, of Brooklyn, said Calo.

“The investigation revealed that Kevin Lyde and other suspects, who are still at large, are also responsible for several other jewelry store burglaries throughout the New York City tristate area that followed the same modus operandi,” Calo said. “Following the commission of the burglaries, Kevin Lyde and others would ‘fence’ the stolen jewelry to Frank Lashvili.”

Also on April 5, authorities raided various Brooklyn and Manhattan locations, executing search warrants connected to a $1 million jewel heist on Feb. 2 at New Rochelle Coin, Stamp and Jewelers in New Rochelle, N.Y. They arrested Lyde and Kevin Young, 55, of Brooklyn, charging them with first degree grand larceny of the third degree burglary. Lashvili is charged with two second degree crimes of receiving stolen property and two second degree crimes of “fencing.”

“Additional charges are expected to be filed in both New Jersey and New York in the coming days against Kevin Lyde, Kevin Young and Frank Lashvili, and other suspects who are still at large,” said Calo.

Kevin Lyde

Kevin Young

Photos courtesy Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office