A mother and her son from Naples, Julian Flores, 25, and Lourdes Diaz, 56, have confessed to being involved in an armed robbery of gold jewelry worth $750,000 from a Hialeah business owner. They pleaded guilty in federal court to charges such as conspiracy to commit robbery, robbery under the Hobbs Act, and using a firearm during a violent crime.
The robbery took place on Sept. 16, 2023, when Diaz parked a rented white SUV in a commercial parking lot in Hialeah. Flores, dressed in black with a ski mask, got out of the SUV with a gun and confronted the victim who was loading a suitcase of gold jewelry into a car. A struggle ensued, during which Flores hit the victim with the gun multiple times, fired a shot into the ground, took the jewelry, and fled in the SUV driven by Diaz.
Flores was apprehended on Oct. 2, 2023, while wearing some of the stolen jewelry. Diaz was arrested the following day, and the rest of the stolen jewelry was found hidden in a safe at the home of one of Flores’ associates.
Diaz entered her guilty plea before a U.S. district judge on Friday, and Flores followed suit four days later. Both could be sentenced to life in prison, although the dates for their sentencing have not been set yet.
It is shocking to see a mother and son involved in such a serious crime, especially one that involved violence. The impact of their actions goes beyond just the monetary value of the stolen jewelry. The emotional and psychological toll on the victim must have been immense, not to mention the fear instilled in the community due to such a brazen robbery.
This case serves as a reminder of the importance of upholding the law and the consequences of engaging in criminal activities. It also highlights the need for increased security measures to protect businesses and individuals from such acts of violence and theft.
Let us hope that justice is served in this case, and that the victim can find some sense of closure and peace after this traumatic experience. It is crucial for communities to come together and support each other in the aftermath of such crimes, showing that unity and solidarity can help overcome even the most challenging situations.
