Miami Man Accused Of Stealing From Children's Cancer Charity

CORAL GABLES, FL — A 22-year-old man is facing charges in connection with the theft of two laptops from a Coral Gables charity that helps children and families dealing with childhood cancer.

Richard Anthony Jones of the 3600 block of Day Avenue in Miami was arrested after police followed a signal from the stolen laptops, according to Officer Kelly Denham of the Coral Gables Police Department, which received assistance from Miami police.

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In addition to the Live Like Bella theft, Jones was also linked to other alleged crimes in Coral Gables, according to Denham. Jones was charged with four counts of grand theft and one count of robbery by sudden snatching. He was taken to Miami-Dade County Jail.

Live like Bella is a non-profit organization created in memory of Bella Rodriguez-Torres who inspired people throughout the world during her six-year battle with cancer. The organization
has funded 13 research trials and assisted families in 46 states and 12 countries.

Denham said that Coral Gables police responded to the organization's headquarters at 2199 Ponce De Leon Boulevard on Election Day to investigate the stolen laptops.

"A description of the subject was given out to the city of Miami Police Department as the laptops were pinging from the Oak Avenue/Plaza Street area," she said. "A City of Miami Police Officer observed a subject matching the description in the 3600 block of Day Avenue."

Denham said Jones allegedly attempted to run away when he was confronted by a Miami police officer before being taken into custody. She said he had four laptops and four cellphones in a backpack when he was arrested.

"The two stolen laptops were recovered and returned to the Live Like Bella Foundation," she said. "Mr. Jones was brought to the Coral Gables Police Department where detectives were able
to link him to several other crimes that had occurred in the City of Coral Gables."

For more information on Live Like Bella click here.

Photo courtesy Coral Gables Police Department