Fans rally for TikTok star arrested after $100K jewel heist: ‘Yulissa is innocent’
Fans are rallying behind a popular Mexican singer who’s being held at a women’s prison while the investigation into a brazen jewelry heist of about $100,000 in goods continues.
Yulissa Mendoza, 25, who touts 1.4 million followers on TikTok, is not suspected of taking part in the June 26 robbery of the Berger jewelry store in the upscale Antara shopping center in Mexico City, Mexico, Jam Press reports, but Mendoza is being held at Santa Martha Acatitla on “concealment by reception,” according to El Universal. Her romantic partner is the suspected mastermind of the spree.
“Yulissa, you are not alone,” banner-toting supporters chanted outside the prison Tuesday.
“You see, you feel, Yulissa is innocent” was another rallying cry.
The protesters claim Judge Víctor Elías Pacheco violated Mendoza’s human rights by locking her up for a recommended period of two months while the investigation is carried out, Jam Press reports.
Four armed burglars reportedly broke into the jewelry store by shattering windows with mallets, as seen in alarming footage.
Fifteen watches totaling a cool 1.7 million pesos (around $99,900) were taken in eight minutes.
One of the suspects, identified as Marco “N,” 27, was apprehended the next day while driving a luxury van with Mendoza in the passenger seat. The car reportedly served as the getaway vehicle.
A police search of the van was said to have yielded mallets, axes, a large quantity of cocaine and a 9mm firearm.
However, the singer told authorities that she is innocent, insisting that she was simply dating Marco and had no knowledge of the jewelry theft.
Mendoza had to scrap at least two concert appearances. Prior to her detainment, the vocalist frequently posted TikTok videos of herself lip-syncing to various songs while wearing skimpy outfits.
Her last post was June 26, the day of the robbery.
The influencer also boasts more than 165,000 followers on Instagram, but she hasn’t posted since December.
For his part, Marco was charged with robbery, drug dealing, bribery and possession of a firearm exclusively used by the Mexican army, per Jam Press.
Authorities also apprehended another suspect, identified as Xavier Sadrac “N,” 28, on Monday, while two alleged thieves reportedly remain at large.
This isn’t the first time an international influencer has been arrested.
Last month, a Brazilian known for flaunting her voluptuous assets on social media and her boyfriend were reportedly arrested after allegedly committing bank robberies like a modern-day Bonnie and Clyde.
