Multi-state jewelry heist busted in Missouri due to high tech tools

OXFORD, Miss. (WTVA) — Two Chilean nationals are behind bars in Missouri, accused of stealing tens of thousands of dollars worth of jewelry from homes across multiple states.

Fabian Navarro and Marcelo Telechea traveled hundreds of miles and targeted mansions from Florida to Missouri. The two stole more than $140,000 worth of jewelry, including from one home in Oxford. The thieves were in and out in a matter of minutes.

Technology and timing crack the case

The narrow time frame gave detectives a starting point.

“The really tight time frame peaked our interest. I mean if the homeowner is gone within an hour and someone is in and out, that detailed information gave us the starting point which was the key to this investigation,” Oxford Police Chief Jeff McCutchen said.

The Chilean nationals moved quickly, making it difficult to track them.

“Once we realized the amount of valuables taken in the amount of time frame we really need to get on this quickly and we usually don’t get them this quickly,” McCutchen said.

Detectives used surveillance cameras, license plate readers and video collected throughout the city.

“We start looking at license plate readers, doorbell cameras, anything that can give us an idea on where this vehicle was in town,” McCutchen said.

Multi-agency coordination leads to arrest

The digital trail eventually stretched far beyond Oxford. Investigators worked with agencies across state lines, connecting this case to other burglaries and helping lead to the suspects’ arrest.

Oxford resident Jack Garner said the coordination stood out.

“My first reaction was being very impressed with the OPD because it sounded like they did an extensive amount of work to find these people that committed the robbery,” Garner said.

He said the case also brought relief to a community that realized this wasn’t an ordinary break-in.

Police said what happened in Oxford was just one piece of a larger investigation that stretched across multiple states and ended with two suspects now facing charges.