From Metro Police
December 14, 2022 – Investigation by Central Precinct detectives has led to a break in the large scale, organized theft of cell phones from downtown bars. The uptick in stolen cell phones from the entertainment district led detectives to discover that the devices were being sent out of state and even overseas to China. More Crime News!
On Monday evening, detectives charged Jhonnatan Nunez Pinilla, 35, of Huntington Station, New York, with felony theft after identifying him as the person who attempted to send some 50 stolen cell phones out of state on December 5th through a shipping store on Lebanon Pike. Officers were notified of the suspicious package, retrieved it, opened it via a search warrant, and discovered the bubble wrapped phones. On Monday, Pinilla came to the store asking about the whereabouts of the package. Detectives were nearby and detained Pinilla as he was getting into a Jeep with a Pennsylvania tag. Also detained was a woman in the Jeep, Luisa Vargas-Daza, 26.
Pinilla admitted to being involved in the theft of cell phones from Nashville venues.
Vargas-Daza is charged with felony theft for conspiring with Pinilla to steal a backpack from the Mellow Mushroom restaurant on Broadway in October.
This investigation is continuing by lead Detective Brent Fisher. A similar shipment containing 27 stolen cell phones was intercepted in November before the phones could leave Nashville.
The MNPD strongly urges bar patrons to maintain personal control of cell phones and wallets at all times. They should never be left unattended, if even for a few seconds.
