Glendale Heights, Illinois – Two men are charged after allegedly staging a $1.5 million jewelry robbery, triggering a multi-agency investigation.
According to DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Elmhurst Police Chief Michael McLean, Pezhman Gilani Yahyavi, 46, of Elmhurst, and Mahmoud Bashang, 30, of Glendale Heights, each appeared in First Appearance Court Tuesday morning charged with one count of Disorderly Conduct – False Report of a Crime, a Class 4 Felony.
Prosecutors allege that on February 22, 2026, at approximately 6:27 p.m., Yahyavi called 911 after intentionally driving his vehicle off the roadway in an alleged attempt to stage an armed robbery. Authorities further allege Bashang told dispatchers they had been robbed by three armed individuals while returning from a jewelry show in Rosemont.
According to investigators, Bashang claimed approximately $1.5 million — about $2 million worth of jewelry consisting mostly of 14-karat gold — had been stolen.
Berlin stated that Elmhurst police dedicated significant time and resources to investigating what was initially believed to be a violent armed robbery. The investigation later determined the incident was allegedly fabricated.
McLean said officers, detectives, and emergency personnel from Elmhurst, Bensenville, and Rosemont responded to the reported scene, committing substantial public safety resources before concluding the report was false.
Both defendants were released following their court appearance and are considered non-detainable under current law. Their next court date is scheduled for Monday, March 23, 2026, before Judge Joseph Bugos.
Authorities emphasized that filing a false police report can divert emergency resources and potentially expose innocent individuals to wrongful suspicion.
The defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
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