Investigators seize hundreds of stolen items in pawnshop scheme

Written on 11/19/2025
WPD PIO
Investigators seize hundreds of stolen items in pawnshop scheme

Detectives and officers standing outside pawnshop during search warrant.


Date: 11/18/25

WESTMINSTER, Colo [UPDATE 11/19/25] -- Two individuals connected to a pawnshop scheme are in custody and arrest warrants have been issued for an additional six employees for violations of the Colorado Organized Crime Control Act (COCCA), money laundering, theft and Pawnbroker Act Violations. Sergey Nikolaev was taken into custody during yesterday's search warrant and Stanislav Anisimov turned himself in today.

Arrested

  • Sergey Nikolaev, 54
  • Stanislav Anisimov, 59

Active Warrants

  • Dmitry Altshuler, 42
  • Dzianis Artyushkevich, 35
  • Dmitriy Barshay, 43
  • Ivan Biazliudau, 42
  • Ion Buzdugan, 40
  • Radyon Niyazov, 65

It's important to note all persons are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.


Investigators seize hundreds of stolen items in pawnshop scheme

Pictures of the individuals involved in the pawnshop scheme


ORIGINAL RELEASE

WESTMINSTER, Colo -- The Westminster Police Department, with the assistance of several law enforcement partners, executed a search warrant on Tuesday, Nov. 18, at a Denver metro area pawnshop related to a multi-year investigation.

The investigation began in October 2023 and revealed that the Aurora Gold Buyer pawnshop located at 8030 E Mississippi Ave in unincorporated Arapahoe County was receiving and reselling stolen merchandise. Detectives linked the shop to hundreds of theft and robbery incidents affecting retailers throughout the entire metro area, including Westminster. In total, the cases involve more than $1 million in losses from stores including King Soopers, Safeway, Target, Lowe’s, Home Depot and others. On Tuesday, detectives recovered hundreds of stolen items from inside the pawnshop.

Investigators seize hundreds of stolen items in pawnshop scheme

ACSO SWAT standing along sidewalk during search warrant.


"This investigation has spanned more than two years, and we are grateful to everyone who played a role in it. This shop was linked to hundreds of theft cases, and shutting it down, while ensuring those responsible are held accountable, is critical to protecting our community."

- WPD Detective Jason Cirbo
 
One employee, Sergey Nikolaev, 54, was taken into custody and transported to Arapahoe County Jail on an arrest warrant for several charges including violations of the Colorado Organized Crime Control Act (COCCA), money laundering, theft and Pawnbroker Act Violations.
 
The operation on Tuesday was made possible with the assistance of the Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office, 18th Judicial District Attorney's Office - Colorado, the Colorado Organized Retail Crime Alliance (COORCA) and Organized Retail Crime Investigators with Target, Lowe’s, Home Depot, Walmart, King Soopers and Safeway.
 
"The Home Depot applauds our law enforcement partners for their efforts in fighting organized retail crime (ORC). ORC continues to be a challenge for retailers and consumers and our teams are committed to addressing this issue."
- Scott Glenn, VP, Asset Protection.
 
This case remains an active investigation and more information will be released when available.
Please direct all media inquiries to WPDPIO@westminsterco.gov.
 
It's important to note all persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Investigators seize hundreds of stolen items in pawnshop scheme

The outside of the Aurora Gold Buyer pawnshop.