Cuban National Charged with Burglary After Helicopter Crash Victim’s Home Ransacked
A Cuban national, identified as Melany Pavon-Perdomo, has been charged with burglary in connection with a break-in at a South Florida townhouse. This luxury residence belonged to Henry Parra and Adam Hlavaty, who tragically died in a helicopter crash in Kenya.
According to Miami-Dade court records, Pavon-Perdomo and Geybert Alexander Garcia were arrested on August 25. Although ICE initially claimed Garcia was in the U.S. illegally, records show he is a U.S. citizen. Meanwhile, ICE confirmed that Pavon-Perdomo remains in the country illegally, having not adjusted her immigration status since her unknown entry time.
The pair allegedly stole luxury vehicles, personal documents, and valuable art from the victims’ residence. Among the items was a sculpture valued over $500,000. This burglary occurred days after Parra and Hlavaty’s tragic deaths in a helicopter crash on August 19.
The U.S. State Department reported that five of the helicopter crash victims were U.S. citizens.
The crash, which claimed seven lives, included notable figures such as Miami restaurateur Roger Duarte and José Suárez from Telemundo. The helicopter was traveling from Loisaba Conservancy to Ewaso Nyiro in a rugged region of Kenya when it went down.
Parra, a former Navy aviation technician, co-founded an aviation maintenance company. Hlavaty was a real estate executive. Friends described them as a loving couple who cherished travel and community service.
After their deaths, investigators confirmed the house remained intact until an entry between August 20 and August 22. Stolen items included a 2023 Land Rover Range Rover, a 2020 Porsche Taycan, along with documents and a MacBook traced using Apple’s Find My service.
Law enforcement discovered both vehicles parked near a residence in northwest Miami-Dade. They executed a search warrant, recovering stolen items and documents. Garcia and Pavon-Perdomo were both apprehended on the property.
Pavon-Perdomo faces charges including burglary and grand theft. Garcia also faces similar charges. Their arraignments are set for September 28. An ICE spokesperson emphasized their stance on criminal illegal aliens, reiterating that such actions will result in arrest and deportation.