Burglar caught on camera in serial jewelry heists revealed as Houston Marine

HOUSTON – A teenage serial burglar who was caught on camera stealing more than a half-million dollars’ worth of jewelry from Houston jewelry stores had recently finished Marine Corps boot camp, KPRC 2 has learned.

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Harris County Precinct 4 Constable Mark Herman first posted about the arrest on social media on April 14.

He said the investigation started when a masked suspect used a sledgehammer to break into a David Yurman store on Northwest Freeway in October 2023. The burglar then smashed display cases and stole more than 200 pieces of jewelry valued at over $380,000.

The most recent heist happened April 5 at the Helzberg Diamond Store at the Houston Premium Outlets, where Constable Herman says more than $170,000 worth of jewelry was taken.

Constable deputies went through surveillance video and, after a lengthy investigation, they were able to identify the masked burglar as Marcelo Majeed Hernandez, 18.

Hernandez is a Private First Class Reserve Marine with 1st Battalion, 23rd Marine Regiment in Houston, KPRC 2 confirmed. In a written statement, the Marine Corps said PFC Hernandez was not in a “drilling status” at the time of his arrest or when the crimes occurred. That means he was not serving with the military for his obligated one weekend a month or two weeks a year.

The statement goes on to say 1st Battalion, 23rd Marine Regiment leadership are in contact with investigators as the judicial process plays out.

“The Marine Corps does not condone the type of behavior alleged in the incident,” the statement read.

After the burglary at the Helzberg Diamond Store, Constable Herman says deputies were able to recover the majority of the stolen jewelry. They also say they recovered several weapons and more than $11,000 in cash.

Constable Herman praised his officers for their diligence and also said the investigation is ongoing.

“This case involved tremendous hard work by Constable investigators, and the suspect may be tied to more crimes in and around the Hwy 290 corridor,” he wrote on social media.

Hernandez faces first-degree felony charges for theft.