A US Navy member was arrested on charges of stealing jewelry worth more than $500,000

A US Marine has been arrested in Texas for stealing hundreds of pieces of jewelry worth more than $500,000 in two separate operations.

The Harris County Police Department said that Marcelo Majeed Hernandez (18 years old) was identified as a suspect in the two robberies that took place in Houston at the “David Yurman” jewelry store on October 13, 2023, and “Hillsburg Diamond” on April 5.

In the first robbery, police officers discovered that the masked suspect had smashed down the front door with a sledgehammer, smashed display cabinets and stole more than 200 pieces of jewelry worth more than $380,000. In the second burglary, more than $170,000 worth of jewelry was stolen.

Police reported that Hernandez was identified after a "very thorough investigation" and was arrested less than a week after the latest robbery. Three handguns, $11,000 in cash, and $500,000 worth of jewelry were found in his possession.

The USMC said in a statement that it is aware of the allegations against Hernandez.