Articles and News
Fifth Suspect in Aspen Jewelry Heist Still at Large, Police Investigate Network Ties December 19, 2024 (0 comments)
Aspen, CO--Four suspects in last month’s Aspen jewelry store burglary appeared in Pitkin County Court on Dec. 16 to review charges, but police say a fifth suspect seen in security footage remains at large. According to The Aspen Times, the burglary involved five masked men tunneling through walls of Wayan, a restaurant under renovation, and Forré Fine Art gallery to reach Avi & Co., which housed watches worth up to $400,000.
[Image via istockphoto.com]
Detective Lauren Turner noted in an affidavit that the method resembled a previous burglary by the “South American Theft Gang,” known for targeting luxury stores in the U.S. with fake IDs and fraudulent credit cards.
Aspen Police had two encounters with the suspects on the night of the burglary but missed making arrests. Four men were later apprehended in Vail on Nov. 11 after police identified their vehicle from a statewide alert. A fifth suspect, seen in the footage, was not among those arrested.
Police became suspicious during a Nov. 10 traffic stop of a red 2024 Nissan Pathfinder containing six men and new tools. Corporal Seth DelGrasso found their claim of detouring to Aspen for dinner unusual and issued an alert. The vehicle was later stopped in Vail, where the suspects were detained.
Clothing and tools found during the investigation tied the suspects to the burglary. According to Turner’s affidavit, a 34-year-old Peruvian suspect wore a jacket and shoes matching those seen in the footage. A 41-year-old Argentine suspect was linked through a green jacket and matching shoes found in the car. Evidence, including shoe prints and footage, also implicated two Chilean suspects.
The report noted that a fifth suspect, described as wearing an olive green jacket and black baseball cap, remains unidentified. Turner stated the suspect was not among those arrested.
The 34-year-old Peruvian and 41-year-old Argentine face multiple felony charges, including second-degree burglary and attempted theft, with bonds set at $100,000 cash-only. Proceedings for both continue on Jan. 6. A 43-year-old Chilean suspect faces conspiracy charges and a $25,000 cash-only bond, with a Dec. 20 court date. The fourth suspect, a 35-year-old Chilean, had his bond reduced to $5,000 due to cooperation and will appear on Jan. 21.
The investigation highlights the complexity of the burglary and the possible ties to a South American crime network, The Aspen Times reported, noting that the police are continuing efforts to identify and locate the fifth suspect.
Read the report by The Aspen Times here.