Release posted on 07-23-24 at 3:42 p.m.

Early Sunday, July 21, 2024, detectives took into custody Miguel Angel Urra Diaz, age 51, (DOB 08/18/1972) and Yosniel Jesus Llanes Mora, age 33, (DOB 06/04/1991) for stealing phones and wallets from the purses of at least two women at bars in June. Shortly after, both men were identified on video surveillance at a Sam's Club in St. Petersburg using the victims' stolen credit and debit cards. Their booking photos are below.

An officer assigned to the downtown area spotted Diaz and took him into custody early Sunday morning and detectives arrested Mora nearby a short time later.

Diaz was charged with three counts of being the principal, in the first degree, fraudulent use of personal identification information; one count of being the principal in fraudulent use of a credit card; one count of being principal in fraudulent use of a credit card greater than $100; one count of being principal in unlawful possession of a stolen credit or debit card; and being principal in possession of a stolen credit card.

Mora was charged with three counts of fraudulent use of personal identification information possession, two counts of fraudulent use of a credit card greater than $100, one count of stolen credit card, and one count of unlawful possession of a stolen credit or debit card.

Their arrests stem from an investigation that started in January, when detectives noticed an increase in the number of pickpocketing and ID theft reports in the downtown bar district.

Detectives believe they may be connected to more victims and additional charges are pending. They are also working to determine whether the suspects are connected to a statewide pickpocketing group. A state prosecutor has been assigned to work with police detectives on the investigation.

This is an open and active investigation. Anyone with information about the investigation is asked to call the St. Petersburg Police Department at 727-893-7780 or text SPPD + your tip to TIP411.