Wanted Persons

Moshe Tsituashvili - wanted for $1.5 million Sydney diamond heist

Crime:

When Chris Gregory employed "Alex" as a diamond setter he was sure he had found someone with the necessary skills to undertake the difficult "invisible diamond setting".

In December 1997, Gregory Brothers Pty Ltd gave Alex a job after he was tested and correctly pointed out the faults with set diamond rings.

On his second day on the job Alex walked into an office, opened and unlocked safe and calmly walked out with two boxes of polished, loose, white diamonds of all shapes and sizes. His haul was worth $1.5 million

"I think he had skill and that`s how he conned us all," Mr Gregory said. "He spotted faults we really thought he was a diamond setter."

NSW police had no idea of Alex`s real identity and had few clues to go on until it was revealed that the wanted man was a notorious criminal being hunted by the FBI.

Finger prints left on a work bench at Gregory`s were finally matched by the FBI to Moshe Tsitsuashvili also known as Ed Tizvael.

He is wanted in four US states for similar jewellery thefts.

FBI officials told the NSW police Tsitsuashvili had been living in New York and New Jersey about 6 months before he pulled of one of the biggest diamond thefts in New South Wales.

Tsitsuasvili, of Russian Jewish heritage, is being sought by the FBI and Interpol on a number of warrants. He was facing a number of larceny charges, including ones for jewellery thefts.

Mr Gregory, ruing his decision to employ "Alex" said: "He said he had a permit to work (saying he had just arrived from Toronto) and was going to bring all the papers with him on the day he took the diamonds."

"We never saw him again."

If you have any information on this matter, please contact

Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000

You may also email us at wanted@crimenet.com.au