Yaorong Wan, a globetrotting jewelry thief, has been arrested in Manhattan after a spree of thefts from high-end jewelry stores around the world. The stolen items from stores such as Cartier and Tiffany in New York City were valued at nearly $300,000. Authorities are also investigating similar heists at other luxury stores in places like South Korea, New Jersey, Beverly Hills, and Miami. Wan, who is the subject of an Interpol red notice, was tracked down to an apartment building in Queens by the NYPD’s Major Case Squad.
Wan’s criminal activities seem to have spanned several years and countries. Starting in September 2018 with a theft in Seoul, South Korea, he then made his way to the United States, where he allegedly stole items from stores in Beverly Hills and Miami before arriving in New York City. In March, he targeted the Tiffany & Co store on Fifth Avenue and a Cartier store in Hudson Yards. Wan employed sleight-of-hand tricks, like switching out a real diamond ring with a fake one, to carry out his thefts. Surveillance footage captured him in the act at both locations.
Following his arrest in Manhattan, Wan was also implicated in a theft from London Jewelers in Manhasset, New York, where he took an $18,000 watch. After pleading not guilty at his arraignment, Wan was released on supervised release but was then taken to Nassau County to face charges for the watch theft and an outstanding warrant from East Rutherford, New Jersey. He pleaded not guilty to grand larceny in Nassau District Court and is scheduled to appear in both New York and New Jersey courts in the coming weeks.
Wan’s modus operandi involved distracting store employees and swapping high-value items with fake ones, allowing him to escape with the genuine merchandise. This tactic was successful in various locations, including New York, New Jersey, and Florida. His stolen loot included expensive diamond rings, watches, and other luxury items. Wan was finally apprehended in Queens after his crime spree came to light, which had left stores in various states and countries short of valuable inventory.
The meticulous planning and execution of his heists, along with his ability to evade capture for an extended period, point to Wan’s experience as a seasoned jewelry thief. His criminal activities were carried out with precision and professionalism, involving multiple locations and high-value targets. Wan’s techniques, such as using sleight of hand and switching genuine items with counterfeits, allowed him to walk away with hundreds of thousands of dollars in stolen jewelry. His capture represents the end of a sophisticated criminal enterprise that spanned multiple continents and locations.
Law enforcement agencies are now working to piece together Wan’s criminal activities and the extent of his thefts across different jurisdictions. Investigations into previous heists and the recovery of stolen items are ongoing, as authorities seek to unravel the full scope of Wan’s criminal operation. The successful arrest and prosecution of Wan demonstrate the collaborative efforts of local and international law enforcement agencies to bring criminals to justice. The case serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilant surveillance and cooperation in combating organized crime and protecting businesses from theft and fraud.
