Video above: See the week’s top headlines in Tampa Bay
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Two people are heading to federal prison after being found guilty for their roles in a $1.3 million jewelry heist in Tampa two years ago, the Department of Justice announced.
In March 2024, 39-year-old Gina Parra-Martinez and 29-year-old Diego Ramirez-Aldana were two of at least six people who robbed a woman selling jewelry at an exhibition, the DOJ said in a press release.
Florida mother shoots intruder who entered her home, threatened children: sheriff
The seller and her sister were exiting a rideshare after the event when a car pulled up, and five masked people got out and rushed them.
The group assaulted the victims and stole their bags. The total value of the stolen goods was estimated to be around $1.3 million, the DOJ said, and they also took $9,000 in cash.
Ramirez-Aldana was identified as a suspect, and his cellphone was traced to the immediate vicinity of the jewelry exhibition a few hours before the robbery occurred.
Investigators connected four vehicles to the crime and found loose gems on the floorboard of one of them, which the victim later confirmed belonged to her. Ramirez-Aldana’s fingerprint was found on the false registration for the vehicle, the DOJ said.
Parra-Martinez’s phone was also traced to the exhibition site, revealing that she had been there a day before the robbery. Additionally, surveillance video showed a woman matching her description walking through the area wearing a baseball cap.
Buc-ee’s on track to open 2 new Florida locations next year
Her fingerprints were later found on a bag in one of the vehicles used in the robbery, the DOJ said. Inside the bag was bleach, wigs, and ski masks.
Parra-Martinez traveled to New York after the Tampa robbery, but fled again hours before a search warrant was set to be executed at the address where she was staying.
She boarded a plane to California, changed clothes on the flight, and left her luggage behind at baggage claim, the DOJ said. Parra-Martinez evaded capture for several more months until her arrest.
Both suspects pleaded guilty to robbery, the DOJ said. Parra-Martinez received seven years and three months in federal prison, and Ramirez-Aldana received five years and one month.
Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA.