Three men convicted of robbery and murder in pawn shops in Miami

A Miami jury convicted three men of robbery and murder of several pawn shops in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties.The individuals who responded to justice on a total of 21 charges, were part of a gang. The accused were charged with murder and conspiracy to commit and commit theft. In Cruz’s case, in addition, he was convicted for possession of ammunition.

The three gunmen looted the aforementioned locations in South Florida, in order to obtain jewelry to sell.

Those convicted are Jonathan Cruz, 36, Eric Ortiz Melendez, 28, and Jorge Aponte Figueroa, 25.

According to the investigation, Cruz was the head of the group. His job was to monitor businesses and obtain weapons and tools for use in burglaries and to end their organization.

criminal gang in Miami

The criminal gang began operating in Miami in 2016. Since then they have carried out armed robberies in nine pawn shops. In all cases they intimidated and even shot.

A Department of Justice report states that “in Pembroke Park, West Park, and Miami, burglaries led to multiple shootings, one of which resulted in the death of an elderly pawnshop in Little Havana.”

In one of these criminal acts, Hialeah police chased and managed to arrest three of those involved. The five remaining members of the gang were preparing for an upcoming robbery in Miami Gardens, when Cruz was arrested.

This week the verdict of the jury that met in Fort Lauderdale was known. The final sentence for Cruz, Ortiz Melendez and Aponte Figueroa will be announced on February 9, 2023.