The FBI is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of a South Florida man wanted in a $4.8 million gold heist in North Carolina.
Pedro Santamaria, of Miami-Dade, is wanted in the March 1, 2015, robbery of a tractor-trailer carrying the gold in Wilson County, North Carolina, FBI officials said Tuesday.
The FBI says Santamaria and two other men used a GPS device to track the gold-laden tractor-trailer heading from Miami to Massachusetts. Investigators say pepper spray was released by remote control to sicken the driver and a passenger before the robbery along Interstate 95.
The thieves made off with 275 pounds of gold bars.
Roberto Cabrera was sentenced to more than 17 years in prison in 2016 for his role in the heist. Adalberto Perez also pleaded guilty to robbery and firearm charges in 2016.
Santamaria, who is approximately 56, is facing several charges including conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery and conspiracy to possess a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. He should be considered armed and dangerous, FBI officials said.
Anyone with information is asked to call the FBI at 754-703-2000.
