Pawn Shop Arrest

Crime Reports
48 minutes ago
2 min read

Rochester, NY- On November 5^th, 2025, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, in conjunction with the Greece Police Department, conducted a search warrant at Rochester Jewelry and Tek located at 3670 Mt. Read Blvd. in Greece. The search warrant was the result of an ongoing investigation extending for several months as investigators looked into the trafficking of over $100,000 in stolen property, and the sale of illegal prescription drugs.

According to the allegations, owners Juan Diaz and Tolga Turmen would accept sealed, new-in-the-box items that were stolen from a variety of retailers. Diaz and Turmen would pay a small portion of the full retail price for the stolen item, and then resell the stolen items online at a higher amount for profit.

At the time the search warrant was served, investigators seized 1,869 stolen items with a retail value of $65,977.63, representing a portion of what Diaz and Turmen have resold. Investigators noted that inventory not confirmed as stolen remained at the store.

The confiscated merchandise included power tools, hand tools, hardware items, kitchenware, small appliances, office equipment, generators, and automotive accessories. Investigators also seized illegal prescription drugs that were packaged for resale.

“Retail theft is a chronic problem that plagues our community,” states Sheriff Todd Baxter. “Everyone in our community pays for this, from our business owners in lost sales, to our community, who now has to pay higher retail prices at the register to make up for it.”

Juan Gabriel Diaz, 42, of Rochester and Tolga Tevfik Turmen, 33, of Greece are charged with:

Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the Second Degree (Class C-Felony)
Falsifying Business Records in the First Degree (Class E-Felony)
Conspiracy in the Fourth Degree (Class E Felony)
Money Laundering in the Fourth Degree (Class E-Felony)
Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Fifth Degree (Class D-Felony)
Criminally Using Drug Paraphernalia in the Second Degree (Class A-Misdemeanor)

Following this investigation, deputies transported Diaz and Turmen to Monroe County CAP court for arraignment; both were released without bail awaiting their next court appearance.

The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the Greece Police Department for their partnership in this investigation, along with the cooperation of our retail partners. The investigation is ongoing, and additional charges are likely in the future.