FBI identifies suspects in organized crime extortion-turned-murder scheme linked to Ellenville

A court document filed last week says Israeli-national Shlomo Patchiav extorted money and a Mercedes from a man in Brooklyn with the help of an accomplice.

Blaise Gomez

Mar 3, 2023, 10:54 PM

Updated 585 days ago

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The FBI says an extortion-scheme-turned-murder made its way to Ellenville. 
A court document filed last week says Israeli-national Shlomo Patchiav extorted money and a Mercedes from a man in Brooklyn with the help of an accomplice. 
When they got it, the feds allege the Brooklyn-based men shot the victim in the head last June and dumped his dismembered body in duffle bags in the woods behind a house on Ulster Heights Road in Ulster County. 
The case was investigated by the FBI Eurasian Organized Crime Task Force. 
Most neighbors were too afraid talk on camera but others said they’re surprised by the allegations of mobsters nearby.  
“It’s almost in the open. That’s what’s strange about it,” said Randy Vankleeck. 
Federal officials say the suspects transported the body in an old car they had towed and then used a garden hose to clean up the evidence. 
So far, it’s not clear why the men chose the spot or how they went unnoticed. 
News 12 knocked on the door to try to talk to the homeowner Friday, but he slammed the door.  
State police describe the area as an old dumping ground for the Russian mob. 
According to court records, Patchiav’s accomplice left the country for the Republic of Georgia, which borders Russia. 
Federal officials say the victim thought he was going into business with the suspects to sell high-end watches when he went missing. 
Patchiav was arraigned and released Wednesday on $350,000 bond.  
His attorney argued in court that his accomplice is alleged to have committed the murder.