A string of jewelry heists has come to an end with the arrest of David Fontanez-Gutierrez, a suspect who used the online marketplace OfferUp to prey on individuals selling their valuables. Miami Police apprehended the 33-year-old after a series of thefts where he posed as a buyer only to make off with the goods, according to NBC Miami.
Reportedly, Fontanez-Gutierrez's technique was to arrange meetings with sellers, examine the jewelry, and then quickly depart with the items, skirting payment. The Miami Police Department’s Robbery and Tactical Robbery Unit caught up with him after he allegedly used a disposable phone number and blocked his victims on the app directly before the meetings. In one instance, an armed robbery was carried out when Fontanez-Gutierrez threatened a seller with a gun after feigning interest in a Cuban link bracelet, as reported by Local 10.
The accused was traced and found at Westland Hialeah Senior High School inside his BMW SUV where authorities said they also discovered a Glock 19 pistol in plain view. This discovery led to his arrest not only for the jewelry thefts but also for felony charges of possession of a firearm on school property and openly carrying a weapon. His bond is soon to be determined and he is currently being held on an out-of-county warrant.
Victims of Fontanez-Gutierrez described a frightening encounter. During an April 28 incident, "I'm gonna pop you," Fontanez-Gutierrez allegedly warned, before driving off with the victim's bracelet. This encounter was detailed in arrest reports obtained by Local 10. In the wake of these events, Miami police are actively encouraging anyone else who may have similarly been victimized to step forward and contact the Robbery Unit at (305) 603-6970.
While Fontanez-Gutierrez faces multiple counts of armed grand theft and armed robbery, authorities are reminding the public about the importance of safety during transactions with strangers. The Miami Police Department strongly recommends the use of their "safe exchange zone" located at their downtown headquarters for any further online transactions, as per Local 10.
