Man wanted for $1.6M pot of gold heist fled to Florida, California

MIAMI – Surveillance video shows a man who is about 5-feet-5-inches tall, stealing from a Loomis Armored Car -- like a leprechaun taking a pot of gold. 

The New York Police Department identified the experienced criminal identified as Julio Nivelo. One of the pictures they released of him was in Washington Square Park with a rainbow behind him.

Detectives believe Nivelo was looking for an opportunity to steal from delivery trucks Sept. 29 in Manhattan when he got lucky.

The 53-year-old man, who weighs about 155 pounds, took the unattended 86-pound bucket. It had some $1.6 million in gold flake, according to NYPD.

NYPD Detectives Robert Boyce and Martin Speechley believe Nivelo drove to Florida, where he paid someone to drive him to California. Authorities were tracking Orlando and Miami and were looking for him in Los Angeles. 

Detective Martin Pastor told reporters Nivelo -- who is also known as Luis Toledo and David Vargas-- was born in Ecuador. Immigration authorities deported him four times -- in 1994, 2001, 2005 and 2008.

NYPD detectives were asking anyone with information to call 1-800-577-8477.