Bronx Jewelry Heist: 70 Months for Bear Spray Attacker

The Bronx is a little less vulnerable today after Pablo Armando Valenzuela, 33, was sentenced to 70 months in federal prison for his role in a brazen armed robbery of a local jewelry store. The August 2022 heist wasn’t just about stolen jewels; it was a calculated assault on innocent people, leaving employees and bystanders reeling from the effects of a chemical weapon.

Valenzuela and a crew of five others stormed the store wearing masks, immediately unleashing chaos. While five robbers began smashing display cases with hammers, Valenzuela deployed bear spray directly into the faces of jewelry store employees, temporarily blinding them. The intent wasn’t simply to steal, but to incapacitate and terrorize. Customers, including children, scrambled for safety as the robbery unfolded.

The haul? Hundreds of thousands of dollars in jewelry. But the cost went far beyond monetary loss. As the crew fled, Valenzuela continued his indiscriminate use of bear spray, targeting fleeing bystanders. Multiple victims required hospital treatment, suffering from burning eyes, skin irritation, and respiratory distress. This wasn’t a clean smash-and-grab; it was a deliberate act of violence designed to injure.

Federal prosecutors, working alongside the FBI and the NYPD, quickly launched an investigation. Surveillance footage, witness testimony, and good old-fashioned police work led to the identification and arrest of Valenzuela and his accomplices. The feds built a solid case, proving Valenzuela’s direct involvement in the spraying of the bear spray and the theft of the jewelry.

Valenzuela pled guilty to one count of Hobbs Act robbery, a federal charge related to interference with interstate commerce through robbery. U.S. District Judge Victor Marrero handed down the 70-month sentence, along with three years of supervised release. The judge clearly considered the severity of the crime and the harm inflicted on the victims when making his decision.

This isn’t the end of the story. Co-defendant Aaron Miller has also pled guilty to Hobbs Act robbery and is scheduled to be sentenced December 1st. The feds are hoping this sentencing sends a clear message: violent crime will not be tolerated in the Bronx, and those who use dangerous weapons to terrorize communities will face serious consequences.

The investigation remains open, and authorities aren’t ruling out further arrests as they continue to piece together the full scope of the operation. This case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers faced by retail workers and the importance of robust law enforcement to protect our communities.

Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on any further developments. The streets of the Bronx, and indeed all of America, deserve to be safe from predators like Valenzuela and his crew.