(BrightPress.org) – On Thursday, April 11th, a U.S. Marine was arrested for breaking into two separate jewelry stores in Harris County, Texas, and stealing more than $500,000 worth of jewelry and other valuables.
Constable Mark Herman of Harris County Precinct 4 told Fox Houston that officers arrested eighteen-year-old Marcelo Hernandez in connection to the heists. Surveillance video captured a Mercedes-Benz GLA with stolen license plates present during both burglaries. Detectives traced the vehicle to Hernandez. Three handguns, $11,000 in cash, and a half-million dollars’ worth of jewelry and precious stones were found inside the vehicle.
While Hernandez was being arrested his dog tags were exposed and he identified himself as a U.S. Marine. According to Herman, Hernandez had recently finished boot camp about a week before one of the jewelry stores was hit.
The United States Marine Corps (USMC) told Fox Digital it is aware of the situation involving Hernandez and has been in contact with local authorities. The USMC identified Hernandez as a Private First Class reserve Marine with the 1st Battalion, 23rd Marine Regiment in Houston. The USMC said it does not condone Hernandez’s alleged behavior.
Hernandez allegedly wore a mask and dressed in all black when he used a sledgehammer to break into the jewelry stores. The first heist occurred on October 13th, 2023, at David Yurman Jewelry. Helzberg Diamond was targeted on April 5 of this year. Both burglaries happened after the stores were closed for the day.
Herman said Hernandez is a “serial jewelry store burglar” and lives with his parents in the Cypress area where the heists occurred. Herman said investigators saw evidence when Hernandez was being arrested that led them to believe he may be involved in other crimes. Police are analyzing the handguns found in Hernandez’s vehicle to determine if they have been used in other crimes.
Hernandez remains in custody in Harris County with a bond set at $500,000.
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