2 arrested after pricey paintings stolen from Coral Gables home

Couple arrested Tuesday in Miami

CORAL GABLES, Fla. – Two people are facing charges after several valuable paintings were stolen from a Coral Gables home last month.

Raluxi Erbiti Vargas, 39, and his wife, Dania Rojas, 39, face charges of dealing in stolen property and grand theft.

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According to an arrest report, Erbiti Vargas met a police informant at a Sam's Club parking lot in Miramar last Thursday to sell him a painting that was stolen from a home on North Greenway Drive and Segovia Street between April 2 and 3.

Police said the suspect provided the informant with a detailed list of the purchase amounts for two of the paintings by Cuban artists, which were valued at about $90,000.

Police said Erbiti Vargas and Rojas met with the informant the next day to finish the deal.

Police said the informant met with Erbiti Vargas Tuesday at El Palacios De Los Jugos on Northwest 27th Avenue in Miami to pay the suspect $150,000 in exchange for all five stolen paintings.

During the exchange, police arrested Erbiti Vargas and his wife, who they said drove him to the restaurant to finalize the deal.

Police said the paintings were done by Dr. A Anguerdin, Romanach, Portocarrero, Mijares and Jamali.

The paintings have an estimated total value of $250,000.

Erbiti Vargas was ordered held in jail on $50,000 bail plus house arrest when released. Rojas was granted pre-trial release.

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About the Author:

Amanda Batchelor is the Digital Executive Producer for Local10.com.