MIAMI (WSVN) - Police have arrested a woman suspected of burglarizing a religious store in Miami.
Investigators said Irma Yolanda Iturralde broke into the Botanica store along West Flagler Street and 58th Avenue, Sunday. Surveillance cameras at the store captured the suspect and a man backing in their car into the business.
Police said the duo stole 50 white doves and thousands of dollars in tools. Detectives said they packed the trunk so full they couldn’t even close it.
Miami Police worked all night long after they received a Crime Stoppers tip, Monday. That tip them led them to a home not far away from the store.
Officials took Iturralde into custody Tuesday morning after questioning her for hours. Police locked down the neighborhood near Northwest 51st Avenue before they took her away in handcuffs.
The owners of The Botanica said they’re relieved for the arrest. “I feel a little kind of happy because since the news, everything was really fast,” said store owner Mae Hevia.
Hevia told 7News how rare the tools that were stolen are. They use them to build religious artifacts.
The owners also hope Iturralde will lead investigators to the tools and to the birds. “Very special, because I tried to collect them for 20 years,” said store owner Nelson Hernandez. “Little by little.”
A witness recalled his conversation with the couple. “They were asking me for birds,” said Ernesto Rodriguez. “Because the officers asked me about birds.”
Rodriguez lives in the house where Iturralde was staying. He said she was staying there with his son. “I open the door for the officer. He says, ‘Is she here?’ I said, ‘Sure. She’s in the bathroom.’ I opened the door and she had bolted out the back door and disappeared,” Rodriguez said.
It didn’t take cops long to track her down. Now they’re also looking for the man involved — and the doves. “I’m now waiting for them to give me back all the stuff,” Hevia said.
If you have any information on the man’s whereabouts, call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a $1,000 reward.
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