On August 14, a thief identified as Arthur Nathaniel Booth, dressed in a helmet and dark blue clothing resembling a plumber's uniform, committed a robbery at an apartment building located at 905 Southwest 12th Street in Hialeah.
The criminal managed to sneak into the apartment of Víctor Martínez, a Cuban man who quickly questioned what he was doing there and attempted to evict him from his home. The man claimed to be a plumber and said he was there to check the water valve in the kitchen.
At that moment, Booth lunged at Martínez, snatched the gold chain the Cuban was wearing, and fled. Neighbors in the building tried to assist the elderly man. In statements to America Tevé, a neighbor recounted that upon hearing the screams, she exited her apartment and saw other residents attempting unsuccessfully to catch the thief.
Shortly after, they called the police, who took fingerprints and received surveillance videos recorded by some doorbell cameras. Thanks to the collected evidence, authorities managed to identify Booth, who already had a criminal record, and arrested him a week later.
During his court appearance, many recognized him as Booth had gone viral in 2015 when Judge Mindy S. Glazer, who was judging him for a similar offense, recognized him as a former classmate and asked how the quietest kid in class ended up like this.
On that occasion, Booth was sentenced to 10 years of probation, of which he has only served nine before reoffending. In this new hearing, due to the recurrence and severity of the crimes, he was denied bail and remains in prison awaiting trial.
The Cuban Víctor Martínez, who had dreamed since his arrival in the United States of owning a gold chain like the one that was stolen, was particularly affected. "I came from Cuba 14 years ago and bought that chain, which cost me $1,500. I always wanted one, but I could never get it in Cuba," the Cuban explained to the cited media outlet.
The chain was pawned by Booth at a jewelry store in Miami, and although authorities located it, Víctor has not yet been able to retrieve it.
Questions About the Arrest of Arthur Nathaniel Booth
Here are some frequently asked questions regarding the recent arrest of Arthur Nathaniel Booth for the violent robbery in Hialeah. These questions aim to provide more clarity on the incident and its aftermath.
Who is Arthur Nathaniel Booth?
Arthur Nathaniel Booth is a criminal with a prior record, who gained viral attention in 2015 when he was recognized by Judge Mindy S. Glazer as a former classmate during a court hearing.
What happened during the robbery in Hialeah?
Booth, disguised as a plumber, entered Víctor Martínez's apartment in Hialeah, claimed he was there to check the water valve, attacked Martínez, and stole his gold chain.
Why was Booth denied bail?
Booth was denied bail due to the recurrence and severity of his crimes. He has a criminal record and had previously been sentenced to probation for a similar offense.
Has Víctor Martínez recovered his stolen gold chain?
No, although authorities located the chain pawned at a jewelry store in Miami, Víctor Martínez has not yet been able to retrieve it.