Authorities in Hialeah have arrested a man and woman in connection with two jewelry store thefts, including one captured on surveillance cameras.
Jennifer Izquierdo, 43, and Steven Louis Romero, 39, were arrested Monday on charges of grand theft, organized fraud, and conspiracy to commit an organized scheme to defraud, according to police reports.
The first alleged theft occurred on January 23 at Estrella De Oro. Romero reportedly acted as a potential customer while Izquierdo was buzzed into the store. She held the door while Romero ran out with gold items valued at over $13,000. He fled in a red Nissan Sentra, leaving Izquierdo behind to appear uninvolved.
The second incident took place on March 5 at Cuban Dan Jewelry, using the same tactic. Romero, wearing a signature hat, entered first while Izquierdo held the door as he fled with jewelry worth roughly $13,000 in a gray Chevrolet Malibu.
Investigators found surveillance footage showing the duo parking the Malibu several blocks away, and a store witness positively identified them in a photo lineup. Records indicated the Sentra and Malibu were registered to Romero’s grandfather and mother, respectively.
Authorities also recovered evidence that Romero pawned a gold bracelet, a Cuban necklace, and a pendant stolen during the Estrella De Oro theft, and Izquierdo pawned Cuban link chains from the Cuban Dan theft totaling $10,700.
Romero and Izquierdo were apprehended during a traffic stop. Both gave full confessions and were booked into jail.
