As previously reported by Jeweller, Mendieta Blanco, his brother Julio Mendieta Blanco, 37, and their associate Chey Tenenboim, 39, were arrested in October 2017 following a spate of devastating armed robberies at Melbourne jewellery stores, allegedly committed by gangs of masked youths.
The Victoria Police Gangs Crime Squad raided the Collins Street premises of Mendieta Blanco’s businesses, Sell Your Gold and Diamonds On Sale, seizing stolen watches, rings, bracelets, and other gold and silver jewellery reportedly valued at $250,000.
At a 2019 hearing, police admitted to encountering surveillance difficulties during the original investigation of the three men, including confusion over the location of the businesses and malfunctioning recording devices.
The Mendieta Blanco brothers and Tenenboim initially faced 450 charges each, including handling stolen goods, recklessly possessing stolen goods and knowingly possessing stolen goods; The Age reports that all three have pleaded guilty to single charges. Another hearing is set for July 2020.
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