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Authorities Arrest Alleged ‘Black Bin Crew’ Jewelry Thieves
The men are believed to be responsible for more than 20 jewelry store burglaries across the United States.
Authorities have arrested three men believed to be connected to a string of burglaries in jewelry stores across the U.S. (Image courtesy of the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office)
Zanesville, Ohio—Authorities arrested three men accused of being part of the “Black Bin Crew,” a group said to be responsible for more than 20 jewelry store burglaries nationwide.
Higuera Reyes-Flores, Rafael Hernandez, and Pedro Garcia allegedly forced their way into a jewelry store in Zanesville, Ohio, on Aug. 1, according to an alert from the Jewelers’ Security Alliance.
As they were filling up black bins with stolen jewelry, hence the nickname, they were met by 15 law enforcement officers and three K9 teams.
Officials from various law enforcement agencies had been tracking their movements for two weeks prior to the crime and were able to catch them in the act, according to a press release from the Muskingum County Sheriff's Office.
The men were arrested without incident.
“This crew’s method of operating was found to be consistent with at least 22 other jewelry store burglaries nationwide, which JSA was aware of, which occurred over a period of several years,” said JSA.
The string of burglaries the men are accused of occurred throughout the Southeast and Midwest, with the total value of jewelry stolen exceeding $3 million, said the Muskingum County Sheriff's Office.
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Higuera Reyes-Flores, Rafael Hernandez, and Pedro Garcia allegedly forced their way into a jewelry store in Zanesville, Ohio, on Aug. 1, according to an alert from the Jewelers’ Security Alliance.
As they were filling up black bins with stolen jewelry, hence the nickname, they were met by 15 law enforcement officers and three K9 teams.
Officials from various law enforcement agencies had been tracking their movements for two weeks prior to the crime and were able to catch them in the act, according to a press release from the Muskingum County Sheriff's Office.
The men were arrested without incident.
“This crew’s method of operating was found to be consistent with at least 22 other jewelry store burglaries nationwide, which JSA was aware of, which occurred over a period of several years,” said JSA.
The string of burglaries the men are accused of occurred throughout the Southeast and Midwest, with the total value of jewelry stolen exceeding $3 million, said the Muskingum County Sheriff's Office.
JSA sent out a crime alert in December 2023 about a crime authorities are also pinning on the Black Bin Crew.
On Nov. 17, 2023, the men allegedly committed a burglary at a jewelry store in Suwanee, Georgia.
The loss was estimated to be at least $300,000, according to an Instagram post by the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office (FSCO).
A detective from FSCO took the case and led an investigation into the Black Bin Crew’s crimes.
The lead detective tracked the crew to Columbus, Ohio, and reached out to local authorities, including the Columbus Police Department, FBI Columbus, the Zanesville Police Department, and the Muskingum County Sheriff's Office.
“The lead detective’s relentless efforts in investigating this pattern helped lead to the apprehension of these suspects in Ohio,” said JSA.
Sheriff Ron Freeman of Forsyth County said, “Yet again, felons stupidly thought Forsyth was a place to commit crimes. Hope they enjoyed their months of freedom. Because of great police work by FCSO detectives, they now get to enjoy trials and jails in multiple states. Don't worry, we'll leave the light on for you at Hotel Freeman."
FCSO has obtained warrants for burglary, smash and grab, and criminal damage to property in the second degree.
The men are being held without bond at the request of Muskingum County Prosecutor Ron Welch during a hearing Monday.
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