Forgetful Robber Pleads Guilty to Scottsdale Jewelry Heist

(Phoenix, Ariz. – Jan. 8, 2007) A robber who walked off with more than $1 million in jewelry from a Scottsdale store but mistakenly left behind a business card pleaded guilty Friday to armed robbery with a prior felony conviction in Maricopa County Superior Court.

Matat Iliasov, 34, of New York, had presented the business card to gain access to the store, EZ Imports, 6900 E. McDowell, Scottsdale. The card contained a known alias and his fingerprint. Two employees in the store positively identified the defendant from a photo line-up.

The robbery took place in 1998. Prosecution had been delayed by mental competency proceedings.

The plea agreement calls for an aggravated term of 10.5 years in prison and full restitution. Iliasov will be sentenced on Feb. 9, 2007, by Maricopa County Superior Court Commissioner Richard Nothwehr. Assistant Attorney General Patrick Zinicola is prosecuting this case.