JACKSON - Mississippi Department of Public Safety Commissioner Sean Tindell and Cleveland Police Chief Dudley Tribble announce the arrests of 33-year-old Winker Jose Nava Herrera and 21-year-old Jose Lorenzo Valero Rojas, both in the United States illegally from Venezuela.
These arrests stemmed from a Cleveland Police Department investigation into the burglary of an automated teller machine (ATM) where Cleveland Police led the investigation with assistance from the Mississippi Office of Homeland Security (MOHS), in collaboration with Federal Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and Pinehurst, Texas Police Department.
On Feb. 19, 2025, the Cleveland Police Depart-ment requested assistance from MOHS in analyzing evidence found at the crime scene. The Mississippi Analysis and Information Center (MSAIC) conducted the analysis and with support from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), identified Herrera and Rojas in the vicinity of Pinehurst, TX. MSAIC then contacted the local authorities in Texas, who had arrested Herrera and Rojas for money laundering. During further interrogations, police found corroborated evidence from the original crime scene in Cleveland, Mississippi, confirming their involvement in the ATM burglary. Herrera and Rojas are being held in Texas and awaiting to be extradited by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Additionally, MSAIC worked with our federal DHS partner to submit the suspects to the “Threat Actor Detection Program” as a Venezuelan Banda Organized Crime members of a Transnational Criminal Organization (TCO). This database assist law enforcement across the country to readably identify a member of TCOs.
“Collaborations like this not only identify those bad actors victimizing our communities, but it also aids efficiency between local, state and federal law enforcement,” said Sean Tindell, Commissioner of the Mississippi Department of Public Safety. “Too often, these illegal aliens go undetected when law enforcement doesn’t communicate effectively, collaborations make it harder for them to operate in the cover of darkness. When we work together, our ability to detect and apprehend them sooner is magnified. Great job to everyone involved!”
“I would like to thank the Mississippi Office of Homeland Security (MOHS), in collaboration with Federal Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and Pinehurst Texas Police Department,” said Dudley Tribble, Chief of Cleveland Police Department. “With our agencies working together we were able to get these individuals off the streets keeping our cities safe. Joining efforts with outside agencies for the betterment of our communities is always the goal.”
On Wednesday, Feb. 19 at around 10 a.m. Clarksdale Police officers responded to Planters Bank at 206 Sharkey Ave., in reference to an Automatic Teller Machine (ATM) being tampered with.
Police said someone accessed the ATM with some type of device which allowed them to take money from the ATM.
An undisclosed amount of money was taken.
Clarksdale investigators are working with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and other agencies to determine how similar crimes reported around the state recently might be linked and result in an arrest.
Bank robbery is a federal offense and prompts the FBI to get involved.
Clarksdale Police Chief Vince Ramirez said no one’s bank account was accessed in this crime and only the ATM was accessed.
