Hundreds of Heirlooms Recovered in Burglary Bust

PHILADELPHIA - February 7, 2007 (WPVI) -- Diamonds, emeralds, pearls and it doesn't end there. A burglary bust led police to a major operation that put hundreds of family heirlooms in the wrong hands.

Police are now trying to get all that jewelry in the right hands.

It started when Philadelphia police arrested a burglar for breaking into homes in the 800 block of Crestview, the 7800 block of Horrocks, and the 800 block of Strahle.

Detectives say the stolen goods were being fenced at the Frankford Variety Store in the 5200 block of Frankford.

The store has been shut down by Licenses and Inspections. The owners are charged with a list of crimes, as is one of the accused burglars who allegedly supplied the place with merchandise.

Philadelphia detectives with the major crimes unit displayed just a sampling of the hundreds of pieces of jewelry and other heirlooms they say they recovered from the Frankford Variety Store. They came upon the stolen goods after arresting a 47-year-old man described as a career burglar and long-time supplier of stolen merchandise to the variety store's operation.

"This is just one male that has been using this store. There may be numerous burglars using the store," said Captain John Gallagher.

Police say the store's owners, 65-year-old Boris Granov and his wife, Sophia, operated the alleged fencing operation for some 20 years, receiving the stolen property then selling it for a profit.

The store came to the attention of police in recent weeks as they worked to solve a series of burglaries in Northeast Philadelphia and in Roxborough.

Police say the 47-year-old suspect now in custody committed the string of recent burglaries, and then took the loot to the Granov's store. They found the lost items along with many, many more bits and baubles likely stolen from across the city by other burglars. Now they want to return the lost items to all the victims.

The goods will be displayed twice:

February 12-13, Noon to 8 p.m.
Northwest Neighborhoods
5th Police District
Ridge Avenue and Cinnaminson St.

February 15-16, Noon to 8 p.m.
Northeast Neighborhoods
7th Police District
Bustleton Avenue and Bowler Street

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