Fugitive Wanted For $2.8 Million Gold Heist Captured In Belize
MIAMI (CBSMiami) -- The search is over for a man accused of stealing more than $2.8 million in gold just steps away from the Coral Gables Police Headquarters.
Raonel Valdez Valhuerdis, 34, allegedly committed the crime then disappeared even though he was supposed to be wearing a GPS ankle monitor from a previous crime.
According to investigators, on October 2012, an employee of Quri Wasi , a Bolivian-based export company that buys gold, melts it down, and then sells it to South Florida refineries, was allegedly attacked.
The employee was identified as George Villegas who passed away last year.
He told police he was attacked and robbed by three men as he was transporting 110 pounds of gold flakes to an Opa-Locka refinery.
Investigators said the tracking device placed Valhuerdis at the scene, but they lost track of the device.
Bolton Investigations, who represents the company, said Belize Police Officers found Valhuerdis hiding in some bushes in Benque Viejo del Carmen. He was carrying a Cuban passport with his real name but no stamp indicating how he was able to get into the country, according to investigators.
Valhuerdis was detained for illegal entry, ordered to pay a fine of $2,000 and was facing deportation to Cuba.
Investigators said Valhuerdis was acting suspicious so the immigration official "googled" his name and saw a wanted poster of him online.
It is not known when Valdez will be back in Miami.
