Mother-Son Duo Pleads Guilty to Armed Robbery

Julian Flores, 25, and his mother, Lourdes Diaz, 56, from Naples, Florida, pled guilty to their roles in a $750,000 armed robbery of gold jewelry from a business owner in Hialeah. The crime occurred on September 16, 2023, when Flores, armed with a revolver, attacked the victim as they loaded jewelry into a vehicle, striking them multiple times and firing a shot to gain control of the suitcase. Following their escape in a rented SUV, law enforcement arrested Flores on October 2, 2023, while he was wearing some of the stolen jewelry. Diaz was arrested the next day after attempting to hide additional stolen jewelry in a safe. Both defendants have pled guilty to charges including conspiracy to commit robbery and brandishing a firearm during a violent crime, facing potential life sentences. Sentencing dates for both individuals are still pending.