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RAPAPORT... Yenier Cardentey of Miami, Florida was convicted on charges of racketeering, conspiracy to commit racketeering, burglary to a structure with excess of $1,000 damage, and grand theft over $100,000 related to a string of jewelry store robberies in the U.S. He is facing up to 120 years in prison. Prosecutors stated the Cardentey was part of a theft ring that was responsible for breaking into jewelry stores by cutting holes in the buildings to gain access and dismantling store alarms to avoid detection. Using plasma torches or oxyacetylene tanks, they would cut into the safes and, ultimately, return to Miami to sell the stolen jewelry, which was valued at $6 million in total, according to Florida's Department of Law Enforcement. "These thieves ravaged jewelry stores all over the East Coast, and I am proud that my office of statewide prosecution, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and partnering law enforcement agencies have dismantled their criminal enterprise," said Attorney General Pam Bondi. Commissioner Gerald Bailey added, "Cardentey's organization victimized nearly two dozen family businesses and their consumers. I thank the office of statewide prosecution and the FDLE agents who worked so diligently on this case." Additionally, eight defendants are awaiting trial in this case including, Abelardo Pena-Cardentey, Jose Betancourt, Juan Manresa-Leyva, Yaubri Suarez, Maykel Roque, Juan Collado-Miranda, Tony Sanchez and Osvaldo Cruz.
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