Venezuelan armored truck robber burdened with debt

More than $315,000 in debt, Miguel Molero went to the bank but not for help. Instead, he attempted to rob a Brink's armored truck in Homestead, police said, and was shot dead by the driver. Molero, 37, a father of three, was identified Friday as the would-be robber killed outside the Wachovia bank, 1101 Krome Ave. A native of Venezuela, Molero used to be a co-owner of the popular Mario's Latin Cafe, 1090 N. Homestead Blvd. The 24-hour restaurant had been profiled in The Miami Herald and last year was included in the annual ''Best of Miami'' New Times issue. He left Mario's and last year opened Varadero's Grill and Bar, 27667 S. Dixie Hwy. It failed miserably. ''He was a good guy. He had economic problems but I don't know why he did this,'' said former co-worker Maria Llevia. Financial records show Molero, of Homestead, was in crushing debt in May. He and his second wife, Yesiel Ramirez, filed for bankruptcy in federal court. They held $200 in their checking account and $2,000 in cash. The only goods they claimed were two bedroom sets and four televisions, worth $700, and $570 in clothing and jewelry.