Teen burglar caught on video stealing more than $500K worth of jewelry arrested

HOUSTON – Authorities have a teenage serial burglar behind bars after he was caught on camera stealing more than half a million dollars worth of jewelry at Houston stores.

SEE ALSO: Police looking for teen who stole about $75,000 in jewelry from store at Willowbrook Mall

According to a social media post from Harris County Precinct 4 Constable Mark Herman, a masked suspect used a sledgehammer to break into the David Yurman Jewelry on Northwest Fwy back in October 2023.

The hammer was then used to smash display cases and stole more than 200 pieces of jewelry valued at over $380,000.

On April 5, deputies were called to the Helzberg Diamond Store at the Houston Premium Outlets, where Constable Herman says more than $170,000 worth of jewelry was taken.

Constable deputies went through surveillance video and after a lengthy, but thorough investigation, they were able to identify the masked burglar as Marcelo Majeed Hernandez, 18.

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Nearly a week after the Helzberg Diamond Store robbery, Constable Herman says via social media, they were able to catch Hernandez and arrest him. Investigators were also able to recover “the majority of the stolen jewelry.” Additionally, investigators found several weapons on Hernandez and more than $11,000 in cash.

Constable Herman praised his officers for their hard work, but said this may just be the beginning.

“This case involved tremendous hard work by Constable investigators, and the suspect may be tied to more crimes in and around the Hwy 290 corridor,” he wrote on social media.

The 18-year-old was booked into the Harris County jail and faces first-degree felony charges for theft.