Authorities in Texas apprehended a U.S. Marine on Thursday, accusing him of masterminding two separate jewelry heists totaling over $500,000 in value.
Marcelo Majeed Hernandez, 18, was named as the prime suspect in the burglaries that occurred at David Yurman Jewelry on October 13, 2023, and at Helzberg Diamond on April 5, as reported by Harris County Constable Precinct 4.
During the initial burglary, law enforcement discovered evidence suggesting a masked individual had forcibly entered the premises using a sledgehammer, ransacking display cases and making off with more than 200 pieces of jewelry valued at over $380,000. In the subsequent incident, over $170,000 worth of jewelry was reported stolen.
Following a meticulous investigation, Hernandez was identified as the perpetrator. Deputies apprehended him on Thursday, less than a week after the latest heist, and placed him under arrest.
During the arrest, authorities discovered three handguns, $11,000 in cash, and approximately $500,000 worth of jewelry, including diamonds, inside his vehicle—a Mercedes-Benz GLA. Constable Mark Herman revealed to FOX26 Houston that the vehicle had stolen license plates and was captured on surveillance footage during the burglaries, enabling detectives to trace it back to Hernandez.
The constable noted that a significant portion of the stolen jewelry has been recovered, with efforts underway to locate the remaining pieces.
As law enforcement officers took Hernandez into custody, his military identification tags fell out, revealing his status as a member of the U.S. military. Constable Mark Herman disclosed to FOX26 Houston that Hernandez had recently completed boot camp with the Marine Corps about a week prior to one of the incidents.
The U.S. Marine Corps responded to inquiries, acknowledging awareness of the allegations against Hernandez and confirming ongoing communication with local authorities. Hernandez, serving as a private first class reserve Marine with 1st Battalion, 23rd Marine Regiment in Houston, was not in a “drilling status” at the time of the alleged crimes, according to the USMC.
“The Marine Corps does not condone the type of behavior alleged in the incident,” the USMC stated.
Hernandez, facing two counts of first-degree felony theft, is currently in custody with a bond set at $500,000, according to online records. It was revealed that he resides with his parents in the Cypress neighborhood, close to where the heists transpired.
