Man posing as tourist stole two of Duarte’s rings

Santo Domingo.- The Public Prosecutor’s Office has requested preventive detention for Manuel Alejandro Féliz Rodríguez, known as “El Cojo,” accused of stealing two historically valuable gold rings from the Duartiano Institute in Santo Domingo’s Colonial City. The theft occurred on August 5, 2025, when the suspect entered the institute under the pretext of requesting a tour. While unattended, he allegedly took two rings from a display case—one with the face of national hero Juan Pablo Duarte and another with a ruby stone, a gift from Duarte to his fiancée, Prudencia Lluberes Álvarez.

Investigators identified Rodríguez on August 9 in the San Carlos sector, matching the description of the suspect seen at the time of the robbery. When questioned, he admitted to taking the rings and selling them to a secondhand shop on Avenida Mella. The shop manager confirmed buying one ring for RD$3,000 in cash and the other for RD$15,500 via bank transfer.

Rodríguez was arrested on August 11 under a court order issued by the Judicial Office of Permanent Attention Services of the National District. The Public Prosecutor’s Office has charged him with violations of Articles 379 and 384 of the Dominican Penal Code, covering robbery and theft.