Miami Beach Police and Metro Nashville PD Arrest Tennessee Fugitives in $1.7 Million Jewelry Heist
MIAMI, Florida – Miami Beach Police, in collaboration with the Metro Nashville Police Department, have apprehended two Tennessee fugitives connected to a brazen armed robbery involving $1.7 million in gold and jewelry.
Milleni Garcia, 38, and Orlando Valdes Hernandez, 34, were arrested Sunday at the Grand Beach Hotel on Collins Avenue following an intense investigation. The pair is accused of targeting Dubai Jewelry in Nashville, Tennessee last week, where they allegedly displayed firearms, threatened staff, and fled with high-value items.
“You have an arrest warrant from the state of Tennessee,” Judge Mindy S. Glazer told Garcia during her court appearance on Monday. The charges include felony robbery with a weapon or object.
Judge Glazer denied Garcia bond due to the severity of the charges.
“The apprehension of these suspects demonstrates our commitment to supporting other law enforcement agencies and ensuring public safety,” said Miami Beach Police Chief Wayne Jones. “I commend my detectives and partners at the Metro Nashville Police Department for their hard work and resolve in bringing these violent offenders to justice.”
Security footage captured the violent robbery on October 23, showing the duo walking into the jewelry store and pretending to browse before drawing weapons and threatening employees. A third suspect, who has not yet been identified or apprehended, was seen stocking up on stolen jewelry during the heist.
“These two offenders were extremely brazen. They walk inside of the jewelry store, posed as customers, and shortly thereafter, held the two employees at gunpoint,” said Miami Beach Officer Christopher Bess.
Investigators in Tennessee tipped off Miami Beach Police that Garcia and Hernandez may have checked into the Grand Beach Hotel. Detectives coordinated with Metro Nashville PD and tracked down the suspects, who were arrested without incident.
“We were able to coordinate the arrest and take our offenders into custody,” said Bess.
Police found a significant amount of cash, jewelry, and a blonde wig in the hotel room where the duo was arrested. According to Metro Nashville police, the third suspect remains at large.
Garcia and Hernandez are currently awaiting extradition back to Tennessee, where they will face charges related to the armed robbery.