Watch CBS News

Nordstrom Workers In Minnetonka Accused Of Stealing $500K In High-End Merchandise, Selling Items Online

Originally published May 18

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Two workers at a suburban Twin Cities department store are accused of stealing around $500,000 in high-end merchandise and trying to sell it on eBay.

Nordstrom employee Denis Viktorovich Palamarchuk, 47, of Minnetonka is now charged with one count of felony theft. His ex-wife, 48-year-old Tanya Alysheva of Plymouth, also faces a felony theft charge.

According to the criminal complaint, Palamarchuk was seen on security cameras taking high-end merchandise from the loading dock and the business services office, and putting it into his car.

After he was confronted, he admitted to stealing items and putting them up for sale online, the complaint said.

Officers executed search warrants and found stolen high-end purses, shoes and clothing worth around $500,000, along with $46,000 in cash.

nordstrom theft
(credit: Minnetonka Police Department)

Palamarchuk told officers he was stealing to pay bills due to a pay decrease.

His ex-wife, Alysheva, who also worked at the store, admitted to knowing about the thefts, the complaint said. She allegedly told police that they sold the items to friends for cash.

At the time of their arrest, the ex-couple allegedly had more than 200 postings on their eBay account.

Investigators say that both of the individuals worked at the Nordstrom location at Ridgedale Center in Minnetonka.

If convicted, the theft charge carries a sentence of up to 10 years in prison and/or a $20,000 fine.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.