Two suspects hit with federal charges for $800K NYC jewelry store heist

Two thieves in a Bronx robbery crew were busted this week for an $800,000 smash-and-grab heist at a Bronx jewelry store in August, federal prosecutors said. 

The suspects, Pablo Armando Valenzuela and Aaron Miller, were allegedly part of a six-person crew that used bear spray, hammers and guns to knock off the shop on East Fordham Road on Aug. 10. 

Valenzuela, wearing a ski mask, allegedly burst into the shop and fired the powerful form of mace at the clerks.

His fellow robbers then ran in, smashed glass cases and swiped $800,000 in merchandise, federal prosecutors said. 

At least one of the crooks pointed a gun during the heist, the prosecutors added.  

The robbers fled the store on mopeds, cars and on foot, authorities said. 

Miller was arrested yesterday and Valenzuela was busted this morning, federal prosecutors in Manhattan said.

Miller and Valenzuela were each hit with one count of Hobbs Act robbery, conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. 

U.S ATTORNEYÕS OFFICE

U.S ATTORNEY’S OFFICE

U.S ATTORNEY’S OFFICE

They face a maximum of life in prison, if convicted. 

Damian Williams, the US Attorney for the Southern District of New York, said in a statement that his office will continue to go after violent criminals in the city. 

“This Office will continue to aggressively prosecute robberies, especially those that are accompanied with violence,” Williams said.