A high-profile Sydney jeweler has been charged with masterminding the armed robbery of his jewelry store in what New South Wales police said was an elaborate attempt to defraud his insurance company of more than $2.8 million.
Michel Elias Germani, whose company, Germani Jewellery, designed for the likes of Princess Diana, was arrested on Monday.
Police say the 65-year-old initially told officers he had been threatened by two men posing as customers at his shop in Sydney’s Queen Victoria Building in January.
According to the police, one of the two men is said to have threatened the employee with a knife, while the other demanded access to the jewelry safe.
He said the two thieves handcuffed Germani and the employee and then fled the store with a large and expensive amount of jewellery.
Last month, police arrested two people, Chanel Tovino, 37, and Mounir Helou, 57, for the alleged theft.
Police arrested Germani after they suspected the theft was a fraud.
Germani, charged with theft and publishing false or misleading information, has not filed a bail application and was ordered to appear again in court for bail review on Thursday.
Sky News