Four suspects caught, charged in robberies at Oakland Mall, Great Lakes Crossing

TROY/AUBURN HILLS — Four suspects were taken into custody during an alleged armed robbery attempt at Oakland Mall 13 days after committing a different armed robbery, authorities believe.

The initial incident took place at 4:30 p.m. Aug. 11 at Great Lakes Crossing in Auburn Hills. According to investigators, two men wearing surgical masks entered the MJ Diamonds jewelry store at the mall, sprayed three employees with pepper spray and smashed several displays in order to steal several items of jewelry.

The initial investigation revealed a black Kia Soul as a possible suspect vehicle that fled the area. Due to the violent nature of the robbery, the case was turned over to the FBI’s Oakland County Gang and Violent Crimes Task Force.

On Aug. 24, at 5:42 p.m., members of the task force were conducting surveillance in the area of Oakland Mall in an attempt to locate the suspect’s vehicle. Surveillance observed three subjects, all wearing masks, entering Macy’s at Oakland Mall. The vehicle they arrived in, the suspected black Kia Soul, left the parking lot and entered I-75 North. The vehicle then turned on its hazard lights and parked on the shoulder, directly across the parking lot from the Macy’s store entrance.

The three subjects who entered Macy’s proceeded directly to the jewelry counter, sprayed employees with pepper spray, and then used hammers to break display case glass. After stealing the jewelry, they exited the store, ran across the parking lot, and jumped the freeway fence into their awaiting vehicle parked on the shoulder.

The Troy police said that task force members moved into position ahead of the attempted escape and, in conjunction with officers from the Troy Police Department, were able to stop the suspect vehicle and arrest all four subjects without further incident. The stolen jewelry was recovered, along with cash and other evidence that authorities say connects them with the previous robbery that occurred at Great Lakes Crossing Outlets.

The suspects were identified as Hernan Parraquez-Mondaca, who was charged with five counts of armed robbery, five counts of felonious assault, and two counts of malicious destruction of property; Michael Aguilar-Mondaca, who they said was the owner of the black Kia Soul, was charged with five counts of armed robbery, five counts of felonious assault, and two counts of malicious destruction of property; Sandrino Rojas-Palma, who was charged with five counts of armed robbery, five counts of felonious assault, and two counts of malicious destruction of property; and Nicholas Caceres-Henriquez, who was charged with two counts of armed robbery, two counts of felonious assault, and one count of malicious destruction of property.

The suspects were arraigned Aug. 27 in 52-1 District Court. Bond was denied for all four. Each count of armed robbery is a felony and carries a maximum penalty of life in prison. Each count of felonious assault is a felony and carries the maximum penalty of four years in prison and/or a $2,000 fine. Each count of malicious destruction of property is a felony and carries the maximum penalty of five years in prison and/or a fine of $10,000 or three times the value of damaged property. Their next court date was slated to be a preliminary exam scheduled for 9 a.m. Monday, Sept.11.

“We are thankful for our law enforcement partners in Auburn Hills and the work being done by the FBI Gang and Violent Crime Task Force and their help with this arrest,” the Troy Police and Auburn Hills Police said in a joint press release.

The four suspects had not retained or been appointed attorneys prior to press time.