A Bolivian export company filed a lawsuit Monday against a group of men accused of robbing a courier of $2.8 million in gold at a Coral Gables apartment building.The lawsuit comes one month after the only suspect charged criminally, Raonel Valdez Valhuerdis, skipped his bond, shed his court-issued ankle monitor and went on the lam.Coral Gables police say Valdez was part of a group of men who robbed the gold flakes 110 pounds packed in two rolling suit cases from courier George Villegas on Oct. 12 as the man exited an elevator.Over prosecutors objections, a Miami-Dade judge allowed Valdez out on $75,000 bond. He remained free awaiting trial until March, when he fled.The Bolivian company, Quri Wasi, buys gold from small merchants in Bolivia and re-sells the precious metal to a refinery in Opa-locka. The company alleges that Valdez was one of six people who planned and executed the heist.According to the suit, Jean Marrero Lara, Alfredo Kindelan and Miguel Marrero Leal accompanied Valdez to rob the courier at gunpoint. Valdezs girlfriend, Yuxibeidis Acosta, a stripper, also harbored him for several days immediately following the heist and was bought a 2008 Toyota Yaris for her efforts.Another man, Carlos Jose Anta, who did earlier crimes with Valdez in Mexico, actively participated in the planning and execution of the crime, according to the lawsuit.Quri Wasi is offering a $25,000 reward for the return of the gold. The lawsuit demands compensation for the stolen gold.
Coral Gables
Coral Gables