Ontario couple sentenced for $10K diamond robbery in New Brunswick

A New Brunswick judge sentenced an Ontario couple Friday in connection to the theft of a $10,000 diamond from a Saint John jewelry store in October, which has since been recovered.

READ MORE: Brazen Saint John diamond heist caught on video surveillance

Grigori Zaharov, 70, and Natalia Feldman, 44, appeared in court Friday to face charges of theft over $5,000. They pleaded guilty last month. The two also face charges in connection with other thefts across the country. They were arrested in October in Ontario.

Surveillance video taken from W. Smith and Company Fine Jewellers, where the diamond was stolen from, was shown in court.

1:48 Ten thousand dollar diamond stolen from Saint John jewelry store

WATCH ABOVE: High quality video surveillance is being credited with aiding in the investigation of a stolen diamond from a Saint John jewelry store. As Global’s Andrew Cromwell reports police have two persons of interest in connection with the theft of the $10,000 dollar stone.

Crown prosecutor Patrick Wilbur called the pair “practiced thieves” who work as a team.

READ MORE: Arrest warrant issued for couple wanted in brazen theft of N.B. diamond

“This is their income,” Wilbur told the court.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "This is their income," Wilbur told the court.

Feldman was sentenced first, with the Crown and defence entering a joint submission of a suspended sentence, calling for 12-months probation, no further jail time and for her to be prohibited from entering any New Brunswick jewelry stores. Judge Andrew LeMesurier accepted the recommendation of a suspended sentence, then moved on to Zaharov’s sentencing.

The Crown said Zaharov’s record showed a “pattern of thievery” and recommended four months of additional custody.

Defence lawyer Margaret Gallagher told the court Zaharov views Feldman as his “common law wife” of 25 years, a statement LeMesurier said there was “disagreement” on — through a translator Feldman said she and Zaharov had been divorced since 2003.

READ MORE: Daring thieves make off with $10,000 jewel in New Brunswick diamond swap

Zaharov admitted guilt to the court in the diamond theft, but added he had cooperated with law enforcement in a plea for leniency. LeMesurier pointed out, however, that the 70-year-old had 40 items on his criminal record dating back to 1979.

In his ruling, going against the Crown’s recommendation, LeMesurier sentenced Zaharov to an additional year of jail time.