Couple Jailed in Miami for Million-Dollar Nashville Jewelry Store Robbery

Two of the persons identified as taking part in last Wednesday’s violent million-dollar robbery of Dubai Jewelers on Nolensville Pike were enjoying themselves Sunday at a Florida luxury hotel when Miami Beach Police, at the request of MNPD robbery detectives, moved in and took them into custody.

Extensive social media research aided MNPD Robbery Detective Kevin Keating and his team in identifying Orlando Valdes-Hernandez, 34, and Milleni Garcia, 38, as two of the three suspects involved in this brazen crime.

The investigation shows that the two entered the store and began asking about rings. A few minutes later, their unidentified accomplice arrived. Moments later, Valdes-Hernandez jumped the counter, pepper sprayed one of the employees and then forced that person into the back room where another employee was working. Valdes-Hernandez pulled a pistol and demanded that both employees get on the ground and not move. As he held the victims at gunpoint, Garcia and the other man stole jewelry and gold from the display cases. Valdes-Hernandez is accused of helping himself to additional jewelry in the store before they all fled.

Miami Beach Police recovered at least some of the jewelry and a wig believed to have been worn by Garcia during the crime. Work is continuing to identify the third robber, who was wearing a toboggan cap and had dreads. Anyone knowing anything about him is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 615-742-7463.

Valdes-Hernandez and Garcia are being held without bond in Miami as Nashville fugitives. Arrest warrants have been issued here charging Valdes-Hernandez with two counts of aggravated kidnapping for holding the employees against their will, aggravated robbery, two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, and felony theft. Garcia is named in warrants charging her with two counts of facilitating aggravated kidnapping, aggravated robbery, and felony theft.

The MNPD is grateful to law enforcement partners, including Miami Beach Police, FBI, and Nashville International Airport Police for their assistance in this investigation.