Surveillance Photos Released in Jewelry Theft on December 23, 2009

Reward of up to $20,000 Offered

Surveillance photos are being released in connection with a theft and shooting that occurred in Miami on December 23, 2009. The photos were taken at a business where the Taser used during the robbery was purchased. The FBI Miami South American Theft Group Task Force is investigating the theft that occurred in the 1800 block of SW 8th Street in Miami, Florida and would like to identify and locate the person in the photo who purchased the Taser. In addition, a reward of up to $20,000 is still being offered for information that leads to the arrest of individuals who were involved in the theft and shooting.

The following is a summary of the robbery:

A Miami jeweler was conducting business in an area store while his associate waited in the car. On his way back to the car, the jeweler was approached from behind by one male subject. The subject, who carried a Taser and a handheld automatic weapon similar to an Uzi or a TEC-9, confronted the jeweler and demanded his jewelry bag. The jeweler told the thief the bag was in the car, at which time the subject reached into the car and took the bag which contained more than $200,000 in jewelry and cash. The subject then began to walk away, but turned back around and tased the jeweler. The subject fled in a white cargo style van and the jeweler and his associate followed him in their car. It is believed that at least one other subject was in the van. One of these subjects got out of the van in the 400 block of 17th Avenue and fired several rounds at the jeweler’s car, during which time a passerby was shot. The jeweler and his associate were unharmed. The van was later found abandoned between NW 17th Avenue and 17th Court on NW 4th Street. The shooting victim is expected to make a full recovery.

The subject that confronted the jeweler outside the store is described as follows:

• Race: White, Hispanic
• Sex: Male
• Age: Mid-20’s to early 30’s
• Height: 5’8”
• Other: Medium build, light complexion, short hair
• Clothing: Hoodie sweatshirt zipped all the way up

South American Theft Groups (SATGs) are primarily engaged in highly organized international violent robberies of traveling jewelry salespersons and distraction/scam thefts from retail jewelry stores. In addition to Miami, SATGs are based primarily in Atlanta, New York City, Los Angeles, Houston, and Chicago. Members are typically 20 years old and up and include males and females. They are highly mobile, moving from city to city and country to country in search of victims and committing multiple robberies across jurisdictions. SATGs are more violent than other groups, often using guns and/or knives to commit their jewelry crimes. They also use sophisticated equipment, conduct multi-vehicle physical surveillance and counter-surveillance, and develop their own "informants" within the jewelry industry to target salespersons and businesses.

“We are hoping the public can help us identify this individual,” said Special Agent in Charge John V. Gillies of the FBI Miami Field Office. “South American Theft Groups are organized and violent, requiring a sophisticated and multi-jurisdictional response. The South American Theft Group Task Force will continue to work with the jewelry industry to combating this crime problem.”

The multi-agency South American Theft Group Task Force based in Miami was established in 2003. The Miami task force is composed of the following agencies: FBI, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Florida Department of Law Enforcement, City of Miami Police Department, Miami Beach Police Department, Miami-Dade Police Department, Aventura Police Department, Broward Sheriff’s Office, and the Coral Gables Police Department. The task force also maintains a close partnership with jewelry industry security experts—such as the Jewelers' Security Alliance, which represents the security concerns of approximately 20,000 retail jewelry stores; the Jewelers' Mutual Insurance Company; and the Gemological Institute of America.

If anyone has information regarding the theft and shooting they are urged to call the FBI at (305) 944-9101. The reward is being offered by the FBI ($10,000) and the Golden Opportunity Company ($10,000.)

These subjects are considered armed and dangerous.