Miami: A Florida couple who were among seven people killed in a helicopter crash during a safari in Kenya faced another tragedy soon after their deaths when their Coral Gables home was allegedly burgled.
Henry Parra, 55, and Adam Hlavaty, 42, were killed when the helicopter they were travelling in crashed last Wednesday. Less than 24 hours after news of their deaths spread in their neighbourhood, their home was allegedly ransacked.
Valuable artwork, jewellery, electronics, personal and business documents were reportedly stolen along with the couple’s Porsche SUV and Land Rover.
Stolen MacBook helps police find suspects
Coral Gables police identified 40-year-old Geybert Alexander Garcia and 24-year-old Melany Perdomo as suspects.
Investigators reportedly followed a location signal from the couple’s stolen MacBook, which helped lead them to the suspects.
Both face several charges, including burglary and grand theft auto. They appeared before a judge and were held without bond.
Porsche theft becomes part of court case
During Garcia’s court hearing, his defence attorney presented a notarised document that allegedly authorised him to use the couple’s vehicles and enter their home.
The claim prompted strong questions from Miami-Dade Circuit Court Judge Mindy Glazer, who questioned why Parra and Hlavaty would have given permission to someone with a criminal history to use their vehicles.
A prosecutor told the court that Garcia had previous felony convictions involving burglary, money laundering and dealing in stolen property.
The judge said she would consider the evidence presented during the probable-cause proceedings.
Home left badly damaged
A family friend told the court that the suspects allegedly caused significant damage while entering the property.
She said the security system had been broken into and the front door, including its lock, was extensively damaged and would need to be replaced.
The alleged burglary occurred as family and friends were still coming to terms with the sudden deaths of Parra and Hlavaty, adding another painful chapter to the tragedy.
