A body exhumed by Puerto Rican authorities was identified by them tonight as that of Abraham S. the New York diamond dealer who disappeared July 28th.
The chief pathologist acknowledged that medical examiners had exhumed the body last Friday and examined it on Saturday but had failed to realized it was the body they were looking for.
excerpt from Selwyn Raab NYT 10/18/77
Showing posts with label jewelry. Show all posts
Showing posts with label jewelry. Show all posts
Tuesday, October 18, 1977
Saturday, October 15, 1977
A Body Is Exhumed in Gem Case To Make a Dental Identification
The charred body of a murder victim resembling a missing NY gem salesman was exhumed today in an effort to make a positive identification.
Photographs of the body and samples of hair had been identified by the victim’s brother, but the exhumation was ordered in an effort to confirm the indentification.
A reinvestigation of the three homicides was ordered this week by Colonel Hector Lugo.
Officials said that they had wanted to wait until next week before exhuming the body, buat they finally acceded to Dr. S-Hakimi’s request after his daylong appeal to them. “I’ve been waiting for two and a half months, why do I have to wait any longer for an answer if this is my brother,” he angrily told police.
Dr. S-H searched for six days here last August, looking for traces of his brother, and said local authorities had never mentioned to him the July 29 victim whose age, height and weight appeared to match his brother’s description.
excerpt from Selwyn Raab NYT 10/15/77
Photographs of the body and samples of hair had been identified by the victim’s brother, but the exhumation was ordered in an effort to confirm the indentification.
A reinvestigation of the three homicides was ordered this week by Colonel Hector Lugo.
Officials said that they had wanted to wait until next week before exhuming the body, buat they finally acceded to Dr. S-Hakimi’s request after his daylong appeal to them. “I’ve been waiting for two and a half months, why do I have to wait any longer for an answer if this is my brother,” he angrily told police.
Dr. S-H searched for six days here last August, looking for traces of his brother, and said local authorities had never mentioned to him the July 29 victim whose age, height and weight appeared to match his brother’s description.
excerpt from Selwyn Raab NYT 10/15/77
Body in Gem Death Lost in Puerto Rico
The charred body of a murder victim believed to be that of a missing NYC diamond dealer has disappeared, Puerto Rican officials acknowledged today.
The Commonwealth Justice Department ordered an immediate investigation but police said the body’s disappearance was a result of confusion atteh morgue or undertaker’s and was not a conspiracy to hide or destroy the corpse.
One body was exhumed last night and three others today. But none were the man found shot four times and badly burned last July 29.
Several officials said it was unlikely the body would be found quickly or at all. The confusion caused more distress for the brother. “Would you believe what I am going through?” he said at the cemetery. “I’m disgusted. Don’t they keep records?”
excerpt from Selwyn Raab NYT 10/15/77
The Commonwealth Justice Department ordered an immediate investigation but police said the body’s disappearance was a result of confusion atteh morgue or undertaker’s and was not a conspiracy to hide or destroy the corpse.
One body was exhumed last night and three others today. But none were the man found shot four times and badly burned last July 29.
Several officials said it was unlikely the body would be found quickly or at all. The confusion caused more distress for the brother. “Would you believe what I am going through?” he said at the cemetery. “I’m disgusted. Don’t they keep records?”
excerpt from Selwyn Raab NYT 10/15/77
Friday, October 14, 1977
Slain Man Identified As Diamond Dealer
The brother of a missing New York diamond dealer today identified the charred body of a murder victim as that of his brother, Abraham Shafizadeh.
Colonel Sanchez said the police were still trying to “definitely” confirm that the body was that of Mr. S before a decision was made about exhumation.
The police are unsure if this murder and two 1974 murders are linked. The police, however, were known to be looking into a connection between Mr. Acevedo and Robert Jacobs, a controversial jeweler here. Both of them have offices in the same building and Mr. Acevedo is a salaried employee of Mr. Jacobs’. The police have questioned Mr. Jacobs about a reported $100,000 debt he owed Mr. Howard Block, the diamond dealer slain in 1974. “It’s a very interesting coincidence,” said Colonel Sanchez.
excerpt from Selwyn Raab NYT 10/14/77
Colonel Sanchez said the police were still trying to “definitely” confirm that the body was that of Mr. S before a decision was made about exhumation.
The police are unsure if this murder and two 1974 murders are linked. The police, however, were known to be looking into a connection between Mr. Acevedo and Robert Jacobs, a controversial jeweler here. Both of them have offices in the same building and Mr. Acevedo is a salaried employee of Mr. Jacobs’. The police have questioned Mr. Jacobs about a reported $100,000 debt he owed Mr. Howard Block, the diamond dealer slain in 1974. “It’s a very interesting coincidence,” said Colonel Sanchez.
excerpt from Selwyn Raab NYT 10/14/77
Thursday, October 13, 1977
Jewelers’ Murders Prompt New Inquiry
Police officers here (Puerto Rico) began a “new and concentrated” investigation today into the murders and disappearance of three American diamond dealers after the charred body of a man believed to be a missing NY diamond merchant was found.
A San Juan designer and jewelry manufacturer, Hector Acavedo, acknowledged that he owed Mr. Sharizadeh about $40,000 at the time of his disappearance. He denied an accusation that he owed another $40,000 and that he had told the dealer to bring more than $200,000 in diamonds with him for potential customers.
excerpt from Selwyn Raab NYT 10/13/77
A San Juan designer and jewelry manufacturer, Hector Acavedo, acknowledged that he owed Mr. Sharizadeh about $40,000 at the time of his disappearance. He denied an accusation that he owed another $40,000 and that he had told the dealer to bring more than $200,000 in diamonds with him for potential customers.
excerpt from Selwyn Raab NYT 10/13/77
Wednesday, October 12, 1977
Jeweler’s Body Believed Found
The badly charred body of a murder victim resembling Abraham Shafizadeh, a missing New York City diamond dealer, was been found in Puerto Rico, officials said yesterday.
The body, with numerous bullet wounds, was discovered on a road in a rural mountain town last July 2, the day after the 31-year-old dealer is believed to have arrived in Puerto Rico. The Puerto Rican police had appartently not investigated if the unidentified slain man was Mr. Shafizadeh until yesterday, when a newspaper reporter noticed the coincidence between the date of the dealer’s disappearance and the finding of the body.
Another diamond merchant was robbed in Far Rockaway Queens on Monday night ($250,000 in gems). Detectives said they made no arrests in that incident and hand made no significant progress in any of the other cases.
The conclusion of the autopsy was that the victim had been set on fire with gasoline before he was dead. (Doesn’t sound like a straight-forward robbery).
Police officials in Puerto Rico said yesterday that they were uncertain where the body had been buried but that most probably it was a pauper’s grave in a municipal cemetery.
excerpt from Selwyn Raab NYT 10/12/77
The body, with numerous bullet wounds, was discovered on a road in a rural mountain town last July 2, the day after the 31-year-old dealer is believed to have arrived in Puerto Rico. The Puerto Rican police had appartently not investigated if the unidentified slain man was Mr. Shafizadeh until yesterday, when a newspaper reporter noticed the coincidence between the date of the dealer’s disappearance and the finding of the body.
Another diamond merchant was robbed in Far Rockaway Queens on Monday night ($250,000 in gems). Detectives said they made no arrests in that incident and hand made no significant progress in any of the other cases.
The conclusion of the autopsy was that the victim had been set on fire with gasoline before he was dead. (Doesn’t sound like a straight-forward robbery).
Police officials in Puerto Rico said yesterday that they were uncertain where the body had been buried but that most probably it was a pauper’s grave in a municipal cemetery.
excerpt from Selwyn Raab NYT 10/12/77
Wednesday, October 05, 1977
Police Records List 2 More Gem Murders
Detectives and diamond dealers said they believe that many of the recent murders and robberies of gem merchants were inside jobs arranged by people who worked in the industry – many of them newcomers.
With these two new murders (in 1975 and 1976) the police now know of at least six murders of diamond brokers and others in the industry in the last three years.
John L. Keenan, NYC Chief of Detectives said that in the first nine months of the year there had been 16 robberies (actually fewer than a year earlier).
excerpt from L. Buder NYT 10/5/77
With these two new murders (in 1975 and 1976) the police now know of at least six murders of diamond brokers and others in the industry in the last three years.
John L. Keenan, NYC Chief of Detectives said that in the first nine months of the year there had been 16 robberies (actually fewer than a year earlier).
excerpt from L. Buder NYT 10/5/77
Tuesday, October 04, 1977
6-Month Losses In Gem District Put at $3M
April: two thieves took gems worth $1M from the H. Grossbard Co 15 W 47th Street
July: robbers took $550K worth of gems from the Naspro Co.
July: three gunmen took $456K from Medco Jewelry
excerpt from Leonard Buder NYT 10/4/77
July: robbers took $550K worth of gems from the Naspro Co.
July: three gunmen took $456K from Medco Jewelry
excerpt from Leonard Buder NYT 10/4/77
Uneasiness Is Felt by Merchants in the Diamond District
One merchant said “the big difference now is they are killing people the rob.”
“This talk about some kind of Mafia is nonsense. What we are worried about is all this publicity. It puts the whole block under a magnifying glass. All this talk about valuable diamonds and how much cash is being carried will just attract criminals.” (Or investigations will uncover illegal activity).
Their current fear has been exacerbated by the presence on the block of television crews. “Every criminal in the world will see your face.”
excerpt from M. Schumach NYT 10/4/77
“This talk about some kind of Mafia is nonsense. What we are worried about is all this publicity. It puts the whole block under a magnifying glass. All this talk about valuable diamonds and how much cash is being carried will just attract criminals.” (Or investigations will uncover illegal activity).
Their current fear has been exacerbated by the presence on the block of television crews. “Every criminal in the world will see your face.”
excerpt from M. Schumach NYT 10/4/77
Monday, October 03, 1977
Link Sought In Killing of Diamond Dealers
Homicide detectives in NYC, Florida and PR widened the search yesterday for connections between the murder of a midtown diamond broker two weeks ago and a number of other cases in which diamond dealers have vanished or been slain.
Pinchos Jaroslawicz, 25, broker (dead)
Haskell Kronenberg, 27, salesman (dead in Key Largo $500K in diamonds)
Abraham Shafizadeh, 31, broker (disappeared on a biz trip to PR, $200K-$300K in diamonds)
Leo Dershowitz, cutter, (killed 3 years ago in PR, $500K in diamonds gone)
Howard Block, 34, Chicago dealer (Killed in PR 3 years ago $200K in diamonds)
Jacqueline Kane, 63,San Juan dealer (killed in San Juan in March)
excerpt from NYT 10/3/77 R. McFadden
Pinchos Jaroslawicz, 25, broker (dead)
Haskell Kronenberg, 27, salesman (dead in Key Largo $500K in diamonds)
Abraham Shafizadeh, 31, broker (disappeared on a biz trip to PR, $200K-$300K in diamonds)
Leo Dershowitz, cutter, (killed 3 years ago in PR, $500K in diamonds gone)
Howard Block, 34, Chicago dealer (Killed in PR 3 years ago $200K in diamonds)
Jacqueline Kane, 63,San Juan dealer (killed in San Juan in March)
excerpt from NYT 10/3/77 R. McFadden
Sunday, October 02, 1977
Another Gem Dealer Is Found Murdered
Sheriff’s deputies in Key Largo, Florida, told police that the body of Haskell Kronenberg, a 27-year-old diamond salesman from New York’s diamond district had been found floating at the water’s edge of a mangrove-lined bay on 8/31.
He had been killed with a single bullet and apparently dumped in the bay. A large number of diamonds he was suppose to have had with him were missing. (?) His car was late found in Miami, 50 miles north, where he often went on sales trips.
excerpt from NYT 10/2/77
He had been killed with a single bullet and apparently dumped in the bay. A large number of diamonds he was suppose to have had with him were missing. (?) His car was late found in Miami, 50 miles north, where he often went on sales trips.
excerpt from NYT 10/2/77
Saturday, October 01, 1977
Second Gem Dealer Is Reported Missing
Another broker, it was reported, had been missing for more than two months, with as much as $300,000 in gems. The brother of Abraham Shafizadeh said the he might have been slain because he had informed on several persons for cheating or violating the diamond industry’s code of honor. He has been missing since July 27, the day he was suppose to go to Puerto Rico on a business trip. His car was found at JFK. This broker operated out of the same building as Mr. J.
The police said that the missing persons squad carried 30,000 cases a year and that it this instance it had been assumed that the missing man had vanished in Puerto Rico and was therefore the responsibility of the police there.
excerpt from Leonard Buder NYT 10/1/77
The police said that the missing persons squad carried 30,000 cases a year and that it this instance it had been assumed that the missing man had vanished in Puerto Rico and was therefore the responsibility of the police there.
excerpt from Leonard Buder NYT 10/1/77
Thursday, September 29, 1977
Police Explain Failure to Find Body
The police said yesterday that they did not find the body of the missing diamond broker late Monday when they visited the office where it was later discovered because they had not been looking for a body. There was no reason at that time to make a complete search and there were no legal grounds for a complete search,” said Keenan. He said he was satisfied that the detectives had performed their duties properly.
A police spokesman said detectives had gone to the office, at 15 West 47th Street, with Mrs. Tal and her attorney, at their request, after Mrs. Tal reported her husband missing. Once there they dusted for fingerprints because a broken door window made them think there might have been a burglary.
“There was nothing extraordinary about the box,” said police spokesman adding that the plastic in which the body was wrapped had presumably kept any odor from escaping.
But chiefly, the police said, they were looking for Mr. Tal, thinking he might have met with foul play or had collapsed. The detectives remained at the site for hours.
excerpt from NYT 9/29/77
A police spokesman said detectives had gone to the office, at 15 West 47th Street, with Mrs. Tal and her attorney, at their request, after Mrs. Tal reported her husband missing. Once there they dusted for fingerprints because a broken door window made them think there might have been a burglary.
“There was nothing extraordinary about the box,” said police spokesman adding that the plastic in which the body was wrapped had presumably kept any odor from escaping.
But chiefly, the police said, they were looking for Mr. Tal, thinking he might have met with foul play or had collapsed. The detectives remained at the site for hours.
excerpt from NYT 9/29/77
Body of Diamond Broker Found As Missing Gem Cutter Turns Up
The body of a 25-year-old diamond broker who vanished last week with up to $1 million in gems was found yesterday, his head smashed by blows from a wooden plank. The body was bound as stuffed inside a small box in the office of a diamond cutter on West 47th Street. There was no trace of the gems he had been carrying in a wallet. The police were led to the body of Pinchos Jaroslawicz by the diamond cutter, 31-year-old Shlomo Tal, himself the object of a police search since his wife reported him missing on Monday. The police found him sleeping in his wife’s car in Queens. The diamond cutter claimed that the murder was committed by two masked men who struck Mr. J on the head and by whom he himself was abducted and robbed several days later. Mr. J died of head injuries and asphyxiation after a plastic bag was put over his head.
Mr. Tal said he kept silent about his associates murder and had concealed the body in a box under a workbench out of fear that the murderers might harm his own family. “We are certainly not accepting his story or any story at face value.” Keenan Chief of Detectives
One of the points the police found puzzling is why the attackers left him unharmed after driving him around in his own car for three days.
The body was found stuffed into a wooden air conditioner box about 2 x 2 x 3. Mr. J was still alive, but unconscious when the bag was placed over his head.
Mr. Tal told police that his abductors had taken $180 from him, but had overlooked $30,000 in gems that he had hidden under the driver’s seat. He told numerous conflicting stories about the events that transpired.
excerpt from Leonard Buder NYT 9/29/77
Mr. Tal said he kept silent about his associates murder and had concealed the body in a box under a workbench out of fear that the murderers might harm his own family. “We are certainly not accepting his story or any story at face value.” Keenan Chief of Detectives
One of the points the police found puzzling is why the attackers left him unharmed after driving him around in his own car for three days.
The body was found stuffed into a wooden air conditioner box about 2 x 2 x 3. Mr. J was still alive, but unconscious when the bag was placed over his head.
Mr. Tal told police that his abductors had taken $180 from him, but had overlooked $30,000 in gems that he had hidden under the driver’s seat. He told numerous conflicting stories about the events that transpired.
excerpt from Leonard Buder NYT 9/29/77
Wednesday, September 28, 1977
Police in 2 Nations Asked to Help Find 2 in Gem Mystery
NYC police, acting through Interpol, asked police in Belgium and Israel yesterday to be on the lookout for a diamond broker who vanished last week while carrying possibly as much as $1 million worth of gems, and a diamond cutter who reportedly disappeared Sunday, also possibly with a quantity of diamonds. (Actually the former was packed in a box in his office and the later was sleeping in his wife’s car in Queens).
Mr. Tal was last seen by his wife when he left their Plainview LI home Sunday morning to drive to his office on West 47th Street.
Mr. J was last seen about 5:30pm on September 20th in the Diamond Dealers Club on West 47th. He told another member that he had one more appointment before heading home to Flatbush. That meeting was apparently with Mr. Tal.
excerpt from NYT 9/28/77
Mr. Tal was last seen by his wife when he left their Plainview LI home Sunday morning to drive to his office on West 47th Street.
Mr. J was last seen about 5:30pm on September 20th in the Diamond Dealers Club on West 47th. He told another member that he had one more appointment before heading home to Flatbush. That meeting was apparently with Mr. Tal.
excerpt from NYT 9/28/77
Tuesday, September 27, 1977
A Diamond Cutter Reported Missing
A diamond cutter who was suppose to meet a young diamond broker on the day the broker mysteriously disappeared last week is now also missing.
“Right now we’re treating this as a coincidence. A very strange coincidence.”
The 20-year old never kept his appointment the diamond cutter told police last week. The police said the disappearance of the cutter was “very strange” and that “right now we’re trying to cover every possibility.” These possibilities range from a voluntary disappearance to possible abduction.
excerpt from NYT Leonard Buder 9/27/77
“Right now we’re treating this as a coincidence. A very strange coincidence.”
The 20-year old never kept his appointment the diamond cutter told police last week. The police said the disappearance of the cutter was “very strange” and that “right now we’re trying to cover every possibility.” These possibilities range from a voluntary disappearance to possible abduction.
excerpt from NYT Leonard Buder 9/27/77
Monday, September 26, 1977
Orthodox Jews Search for Missing Diamond Broker
More than 100 Orthodox Jews, many dressed in black felt hats and long coats, conducted a building-by-building search of the diamond district yesterday for a 25-year-old diamond broker who disappeared there last week while carrying a wallet containing between $100,000 and $1 million in gems.
Sergeant Howard Russell of the Missing Persons Bureau praised the work of the search crews. “You can’t conduct an investigation unless you have an open mind. Especially since we still have no concrete evidence of any sort.”
excerpt from NYT 9/26/77
Sergeant Howard Russell of the Missing Persons Bureau praised the work of the search crews. “You can’t conduct an investigation unless you have an open mind. Especially since we still have no concrete evidence of any sort.”
excerpt from NYT 9/26/77
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