Trusted Jewelers Charged with ‘Kidnapping’ Customer—DA Now Offers Minor Violations
After 12 felony charges—including kidnapping and robbery—Avital family rejects Nassau DA's plea of non-criminal violations, announces $20K reward.
For over 40 years, the Avital family has maintained a trusted reputation on Long Island without a single criminal complaint.
Yet Nassau County prosecutors have charged Jacob Avital and his two brothers with 12 violent felonies—including kidnapping and robbery—after a customer visited their business attempting to sell them a counterfeit Cartier bracelet.
When Jacob Avital recognized the bracelet as counterfeit and confronted the customer, the customer left calmly, but later filed allegations against the Avital family.
Recently, Nassau County DA Anne Donnelly's office offered the Avitals minor, non-criminal violations, an offer the Avitals declined.
Owner Jacob Avital explains why the family stayed silent until now:
“For six months, we fully cooperated, confident the DA’s office would recognize our innocence once they reviewed the overwhelming evidence—including proof from Cartier confirming the bracelet was counterfeit via subpoena, and documentation showing the accuser’s involvement in a known NYC-based fraud ring targeting Long Island businesses. Despite this evidence provided to the DA's office, the prosecution has continued. The DA’s recent quiet offer to reduce the charges from multiple violent felonies to minor, non-criminal violations raises serious questions about the validity of the original charges."
A licensed investigator has documented the accuser’s role in a nationwide jewelry fraud operation that has victimized prominent jewelers—including Luxury Bazaar, European Watch Co., Yorktown Jewelers, and many others.
Despite this evidence, DA Anne Donnelly’s office continues prosecuting the Avital family rather than the known criminals actively targeting Long Island jewelers.
Avital questions the DA’s behavior directly:
“DA Donnelly knows the accuser tried to defraud us. So why is she prosecuting our family instead of prosecuting the actual criminals?”
The Avital family is now publicly urging other victims of this jewelry fraud ring to step forward. They have also announced a $20,000 reward for information clearly leading to arrests.
Jacob Avital will be available for media inquiries during peaceful courthouse demonstrations beginning today. Demonstrations will occur daily from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the Nassau County Court (262 Old Country Road, Mineola, NY).
Case Number: Nassau County Criminal Court, Case #CR-017014-24NA
More details and the full story at: https://www.justiceinny.com/
MEDIA CONTACT:
Jacob Avital
5 Towns Jewelry Buyers
Phone: (516) 212-5036
Email: Media@justiceinNY.com
Website: https://www.justiceinny.com/