The U.S. Embassy in Argentina issued a letter on Wednesday after the arrest of five Argentine tourists accused of stealing merchandise from various stores at Dolphin Mall, one of the busiest malls in Florida.
In your account S He uploaded an AI-generated image depicting suspects behind bars with the question: “Do you think it’s fun to rob a mall in Miami? And warning: “You could go to jail and lose your visa.”
Likewise, the embassy led the post by clarifying that the United States “a screen Continuously for visa holders: respecting the law allows you to maintain it.”
The embassy’s message also comes in a context in which the country hopes that the United States will exempt Argentine citizens from the visa process, a measure that generates expectations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The five Argentine tourists were identified as Diego Luis Chicato, 46; Mauricio Ariel Aparo-Orlando, 49; Sebastian Luis Moya, 41; Juan Manuel Zuloaga Arenas, 49; and Juan Pablo Rua, 45 years old. They will be from Mendoza and have arrived in the United States with them Tourist visa.
The arrests occurred on Sunday after Sweetwater police officers, who were working off-duty as part of a special surveillance operation, Responded to multiple complaints of theft.
They face charges of “Organized scheme to defraud” and “multiple shoplifting.”-Among at least 20 producers-, among other criminal figures provided for by Florida legislation.
The police also reported that the accused They had tickets to return to Argentina on Wednesday.
According to police reports, security camera recordings of the shopping complex clearly show the group’s modus operandi. The five acted in a coordinated manner. It can be seen that they dispersed inside the shops to avoid attracting attention: while some distracted the employees, others placed the products in suitcases.
As LA NACION reported, photos show the suspects entering the store first. BurlingtonThey pick up large bags and leave them without going through the checkout. Minutes later, they appear in stores Colombia and the North FaceAlready with stolen luggage they were going to use it to hide clothes and items stolen from the shelves. In other images, group members are also seen socializing with each other before quickly leaving the building, always without paying.