Three men indicted on multiple felony charges in connection with jewelry store theft

ZANESVILLE − For 11 days law enforcement officers worked overnight to assist with surveillance. They would get a few hours of sleep, then be back at work for their regular duties.

But on Aug. 1, their efforts culminated in the arrest of three men suspected of stealing nearly $3 million in precious metals and gems from more than 20 stores across 12 states in the last several months.

On July 22, the Muskingum County Sheriff’s Office and the Zanesville Police Department formed a joint task force and worked together on multiple stakeouts leading up to the arrests.

Rafael Flores Hernandez, Reyes Flores Higuera and Pedro Garcia have been indicted on engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, a first degree felony; aggravated theft, a third degree felony; breaking and entering, a fifth degree felony; tampering with evidence, a third degree felony; and possessing criminal tools, a first degree misdemeanor. All counts each carried a specification for forfeiture of property.

“This was a huge investigation,” said Sheriff Matt Lutz, whose department got involved after Georgia law enforcement, in conjunction with the FBI, contacted them and the Zanesville Police that the three men were alleged to be in Zanesville casing jewelry stores. “This wasn’t just your everyday case. This was something that, in my opinion, if it wasn’t for our people, this case wouldn’t be solved.”

And now it is.

The local task force was able to ascertain Kay Jewelers at 3941 Taryn Trace as a possible target. On Aug. 1, at 3:58 a.m., law enforcement observed the three suspects break into the Kay Jewelers.

The two agencies arrested the three men without incident. They had more than $160,000 in jewelry. Two of the of three suspects are immigrants and not permitted in the United States, according to the sheriff’s office. They also are known to have criminal ties to California.

The case was remanded to County Prosecutor Ron Welch. They are incarcerated and awaiting trial.

“It’s not uncommon to have illegals,” said Lutz. “It’s been a problem for a long time, but it’s continually getting worse.”

Zanesville Police Chief Scott Comstock agreed.

“Sometimes they have a different set of rules around value of life or value of property,” said Comstock, noting that in this case, the jewelry suspects did not give law enforcement any trouble. “It can also be a challenge for our staff to process people who don’t speak English.”

But while they may speak a different language and have a different culture, their mode of criminal activity is remarkably similar, he said.

“Their method of operation was not uncommon,” Comstock said of the ins and outs of how they approached and robbed jewelry stores. “We figured out how to track their movements and targets. It was a multi-day deal with crazy hours.

“We had really motivated officers with people coming in on their own time so (the suspects) didn’t get by us,” he added. “It was pretty educational for a couple newer guys. It really worked out well.”

Lutz agreed saying credit is due to the boots on the ground who helped bring resolution to the case.

“It was a tedious two weeks,” said Lutz. “These guys…their effort has been amazing. It’s just the effort our people put in. They don’t like to lose.”

Both the sheriff and the chief noted the joint task force and communication between the two agencies was the foundation of this successful bust.

“The joint effort is key,” said Comstock. “Success happens when everyone plays well together.”

The two also agreed that an aggressive prosecutor’s office with equally aggressive judges, makes a huge difference in law enforcement morale and ability to do their jobs well.

“We work with the prosecutor’s office, going over elements of cases so our deputies know what elements have to exist to get that prosecution,” said Lutz. “We rely on them to train and help us. There’s a lot of give and take. We’re very fortunate that we have the people we do in office.”

Comstock agreed.

“It’s not just the prosecutor filing charges or having our backs,” he said. “It comes back to the judges, too, and the sentences they hand out.”

Comstock said any criminal who comes to Muskingum County and doesn’t realize how aggressive its entire legal system is usually “regrets that decision” to commit a crime here.

And while this time around was a jewelry heist, both agencies say the drug epidemic is the number one priority now and moving forward.

“Being a drug dealer is a great life until you get caught,” said Lutz. “Drug enforcement will be the top priority of this office. Because it’s key to making this community safe. We want our citizens to know we’re out their fighting for them. We’re standing on the line to protect that.”

This article originally appeared on Zanesville Times Recorder: Three men indicted on multiple felony charges in connection with jewelry store theft