Getaway Driver Charged In Jewelry Store Robbery

Fort Myers, Florida – United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announces the arrest and filing of a criminal complaint charging Ivel Sanchez Rivera (52, Hialeah) with conspiracy and interference with commerce by robbery and use and brandishing of a firearm during a crime of violence. If convicted, Sanchez Rivera faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison for the conspiracy offense and a consecutive 7 years in federal prison for the firearm offense.

According to the criminal complaint, on January 6, 2026, two armed assailants entered the Tio Jewelers in Cape Coral from an adjacent vacant business space while the jewelry store was closed. Upon the arrival of the manager that morning to the store, the robbers restrained the manager and forced a safe to be opened. The robbers then took a large amount of jewelry and two firearms from the store. The robbers left in a getaway vehicle driven by a third individual who was later identified as Sanchez Rivera. 

The Cape Coral Police Department identified Sanchez Rivera’s vehicle as being involved in the robbery. Sanchez Rivera had driven the car to the area of the jewelry store the night before and then immediately returned to Miami following the robbery. A search warrant was executed at Sanchez Rivera’s residence and two firearms were recovered, including a firearm that was taken from the jewelry store manager during the robbery.   

A criminal complaint is an allegation that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.

This case was investigated by the Cape Coral Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jesus M. Casas.