FORT MYERS, Florida — Ivel Sanchez Rivera, a 52-year-old from Hialeah, has been charged with conspiracy, interference with commerce by robbery, and use and brandishing of a firearm during a crime of violence, according to United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe. If convicted, Sanchez Rivera faces up to 20 years in federal prison for the conspiracy offense and an additional 7 years for the firearm offense.
On January 6, 2026, two armed assailants entered Tio Jewelers in Cape Coral through an adjacent vacant business space while the store was closed, according to the criminal complaint. Upon the manager’s arrival, the robbers restrained him and forced open a safe, stealing a large amount of jewelry and two firearms. The robbers fled in a getaway vehicle driven by a third individual, later identified as Sanchez Rivera.
The Cape Coral Police Department identified Sanchez Rivera’s vehicle as involved in the robbery. He allegedly drove the car to the jewelry store area the night before and returned to Miami immediately after the robbery. A search warrant executed at Sanchez Rivera’s residence led to the recovery of two firearms, including one taken from the jewelry store manager during the robbery…