by eyetee | January 3, 2011 12:00 am
A bizarre case of murder-for-hire took an unexpected twist when one of the stores at the centre of the alleged plot went up in flames.
The Ontario Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating an early-morning fire at Harold the Jewellery Buyer as a case of arson after an incendiary device was thrown through a window, gutting the store. So far, no arrests have been made, but police are looking through surveillance video from neighbouring stores for clues.
The fire comes several months after police arrested 71-year-old Maria Konstan, an employee of Harold “the Jewellery Buyer” Gerstel. She faces two counts of threatening death and two counts of counselling to commit an indictable offence in connection with an alleged murder plot against cash-for-gold rival, Jack Berkovits of Omni Jewelcrafters.
According to news reports, Berkovits met with a man posing as a potential customer in late July in a pizzeria. Police say the man—a former mixed martial arts fighter who worked as Gerstel’s bodyguard—was having second thoughts about the hit and revealed the murder plot to Berkovits. He also allegedly went to police with the same story.
Gerstel—who is not facing charges—denies the allegations against his employee.
Although Gerstel alleges Berkovits has been working to undermine his cash-for-gold business by opening one of his own kitty-corner to Harold, he tells local media he believes someone else is responsible for the fire.
The investigation is continuing.
Source URL: https://www.jewellerybusiness.com/news/arson-heats-up-torontos-cash-for-gold-war/
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