José Guim, a 45-year-old Cuban residing in Miami, was taken into custody on Wednesday as the second suspect in the theft of approximately $100,000 in jewelry and other valuables. This crime took place on March 14 at a residence in western Miami-Dade, according to police reports.
Guim is facing charges of burglary of an unoccupied dwelling and second-degree grand theft, similar to those filed against his accomplice, Pedro Luis Díaz Castro, a 52-year-old Cuban who was arrested last Sunday, as reported by Local 10 News.
The most striking aspect of the case involves Guim's betrayal: the arrest report reveals that he was both an employee and a friend of the victim.
He confessed that on March 12, two days before the robbery, he conspired with Díaz Castro, provided the address of the residence—located on the 2200 block of Southwest 153rd Path—and informed him that the victim would be on a cruise with family from March 13 to 16.
Guim also supplied his accomplice with the crowbar used to force entry through the back of the house and agreed to receive 20% of the stolen goods.
According to the Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office (MDSO), both suspects jumped the security fence surrounding the property, accessed the electrical panel, and cut the power to disable the alarm system and surveillance cameras before proceeding with the burglary.
They then used the crowbar to break into the guest bathroom door at the back of the house, ransacking the master bedroom and stealing watches, jewelry, perfumes, cash, luggage, and other items.
Both men fled through the front door shortly after 3:00 a.m., following their heist.
Guim was located on Wednesday in the 1300 block of Northeast 205th Terrace. Upon questioning, he provided verbal and written statements implicating himself in the robbery.
As of Thursday morning, he remained detained at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center (TGK) with bail yet to be determined, as reported by Local 10 News. Guim also faces a charge of possession of crystal methamphetamine from a previous case.
Díaz Castro, on the other hand, was arrested on Sunday and also gave police verbal and written statements implicating himself in the theft. At the time of his arrest, he was found with a firearm reported stolen in Lee County, which was later confiscated at the MDSO's Hammocks District Station.
He remains in custody without bond at the Metrowest Detention Center due to an immigration hold and a warrant for another pending case. The Cuban national has a prior criminal record for a felony, which exacerbates his charge for illegal possession of a firearm.
Key Details about the Miami-Dade Jewelry Heist
Who are the suspects in the Miami-Dade jewelry theft?
The suspects are José Guim, a 45-year-old resident of Miami, and Pedro Luis Díaz Castro, a 52-year-old Cuban. Both have been arrested in connection with the theft.
How did the suspects execute the heist?
The suspects reportedly jumped a security fence, cut the power to disable alarms, and used a crowbar to break into the house, stealing various valuables.
What charges are the suspects facing?
Both suspects face charges of burglary and grand theft, with additional charges for possession of a stolen firearm and methamphetamine in previous cases.