CAPE CORAL, Fla. — A Hialeah man has been arrested and is now facing serious federal charges following an armed robbery at a Cape Coral jewelry store earlier this week, according to officials with the U.S. Middle District of Florida.
Federal authorities announced that Ivel Sanchez Rivera, 52, was taken into custody in connection with a robbery that occurred Tuesday at Tio Jewelers in Cape Coral. Rivera has been charged by criminal complaint with conspiracy to commit robbery, interference with commerce by robbery, and use and brandishing of a firearm during a crime of violence.
Details of the Alleged Robbery
According to court documents, Rivera is accused of acting as the getaway driver in the robbery. Investigators say Rivera and two other individuals entered the jewelry store while it was closed and waited inside for the store’s manager to arrive.
Once the manager entered the store, the two unidentified suspects allegedly forced the manager to open the safe at gunpoint. Authorities say the suspects stole a large quantity of jewelry as well as two firearms from inside the business before fleeing the scene.
The other two individuals involved in the robbery have not yet been identified or arrested.
Vehicle Linked to Crime
Cape Coral police investigators were able to link Rivera to the robbery through his vehicle. According to authorities, surveillance and investigative evidence showed that Rivera drove the same vehicle to the area of Tio Jewelers the night before the robbery. After the crime was committed, investigators say Rivera immediately returned to Miami, raising further suspicion.
Based on this information, law enforcement officers obtained search warrants for Rivera’s residences.
Evidence Recovered
During the execution of the search warrants, officers recovered two firearms, one of which was confirmed to belong to the owner of Tio Jewelers and was taken during the robbery. Officials say this discovery further tied Rivera to the crime and supported the federal charges filed against him.
Potential Penalties
According to U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe, Rivera faces up to 20 years in federal prison if convicted of the conspiracy and robbery-related charges. In addition, the firearm charge carries a mandatory consecutive sentence of at least seven years in federal prison.
Investigation Ongoing
Federal prosecutors emphasized that a criminal complaint is only an allegation, and Rivera is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. Authorities also confirmed that the investigation remains active as they continue working to identify and locate the other two suspects involved in the robbery.
Anyone with information related to the case or the unidentified suspects is encouraged to contact law enforcement as the investigation continues.
