Daiselys Barbosas paid a man $4,000 to falsely confess to a robbery to protect her boyfriend, the alleged real culprit, police say.
Miami Herald File
It only took $4,000 for a man to take the blame for a Hialeah armed robbery that he did not commit. Police say the woman who arranged it did so to protect her boyfriend, who they say was the real robber.
On Dec. 18, 2025, police were investigating 31-year-old Daiselys Barbosa in connection with a Nov. 30 armed robbery at RC La Atenas Market & Smoke Shop, 3181 East 10th Avenue, according to her arrest affidavit. Police say Barbosa’s boyfriend, Suniel Arzola, was jailed that same day.
During the investigation, detectives watched surveillance video that appeared to show Arzola leaving the convenience store on a bicycle. The video also showed him dropping something in the parking lot near the business.
A short time later, a gray 2011 Dodge Ram pickup truck pulled into the same area. Police say Barbosa was driving. Investigators say she got out, picked something up from the ground and drove away.
Police questioned Barbosa after Arzola’s arrest. During a recorded interview, she said she had gone to the store to use gambling machines. She told detectives she noticed a hammer on the ground when she parked, picked it up and then left. She also admitted she got rid of the hammer.
Investigators say the hammer was the weapon used in the robbery, and they say they were unable to recover it because Barbosa disposed of it and did not tell them where. Arzola had lost $3,800 while playing the store’s gaming machines prior to the robbery, police say.
Then, on Jan. 24, 2026, Barbosa went to the Hialeah Police Department station and reported that another man, Francisco Ayala, was responsible for the robbery.
According to police, Barbosa claimed Ayala had been drunk and confessed to her that he committed the crime — not her boyfriend.
But when officers questioned Ayala, they say he could not answer basic details, including where the robbery happened. He reportedly told officers, “I don’t know, she will tell you,” while pointing at Barbosa.
Police say Ayala then admitted to committing the robbery, but officers found his behavior suspicious because he was winking when he said it. Investigators say Ayala later admitted Barbosa had paid him $4,000 to take the blame.
Barbosa was arrested and charged with accessory after the fact, tampering with physical evidence and tampering with a witness. She was released after posting bond, court records show. Her attorney is a public defender.
Meanwhile, Arzola remains locked up at a Miami-Dade County jail as of Saturday and was charged with armed robbery, false imprisonment and criminal mischief. Court records show he is represented by Richard Perez.
Miami Herald
Milena Malaver covers crime and breaking news for the Miami Herald. She was born and raised in Miami-Dade and is a graduate of Florida International University. She joined the Herald shortly after graduating.