AUSTIN, Texas — Austin police have arrested a woman who they say was part of a group that robbed attendees wearing high-end watches at Formula 1 over the weekend.
Viviana Garzon-Olarte, 39, was taken into custody Sunday and faces charges of robbery and engaging in organized criminal activity, according to an arrest affidavit. She is being held on $30,000 bond.
Police say Garzon-Olarte and several male suspects worked together to steal luxury watches from at least two people at the Circuit of the Americas on Saturday and Sunday. In both incidents, Garzon-Olarte allegedly fell in front of the victims as a distraction before the men assaulted them and forcibly removed their watches.
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The first victim, robbed on Saturday, spotted the group during the second theft on Sunday and alerted authorities. The second victim held onto Garzon-Olarte until police arrived and arrested her.
Detectives searched Garzon-Olarte’s phone and discovered evidence linking her to an Airbnb property in Lago Vista where she and the other suspects were allegedly staying during the event. Video on her phone also showed the stolen Richard Mille watch in the rental property, according to the affidavit.
Police believe the group targeted wealthy individuals wearing the expensive watches, which can be worth hundreds of thousands of dollars, and planned to sell them on the black market.
The investigation into the robbery ring is ongoing.