Three men face grand theft cargo charges for $1.3 million seafood heists

0
8K


Authorities in Florida have arrested and charged three men in connection to a large-scale cargo theft scheme.

 

Rene Hechevarria Echemend, 33, Ernesto Aguilera Baute, 36, and Jose Luis Batista Suarez, 40, were arrested on August 4 on charges of grand theft cargo of over $50,000 and obtaining property over $5,000, according to NBC Miami.

Authorities say that the three men were part of a scheme to steal more than $1.3 million worth of seafood from NETUNO, a Fort Lauderdale seafood importer, by posing as a grocery store buyer.

 

According to the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP), food orders were placed by a person identifying himself as grocery store buyer Brian Gomez on June 21, June 30, July 14, July 27 and July 29.

After each order, NETUNO would direct Gomez to pick up the load from a warehouse in Medley, Florida.

Forty-five days after the first order placed by Gomez, NETUNO workers became suspicious and contacted the grocery store’s headquarters, only to learn that there was no Brian Gomez on staff and that the email address he used was fraudulent.

 

Police launched an investigation and began to surveil the warehouse in Medley.

Around 9:30 a.m. on August 4, officers spotted the truck and trailer used in the previous cargo thefts backing into the dock at the warehouse.

Officers followed the truck and a red Mustang following the truck to a warehouse in Weston. About 15 minutes after the truck arrived at the facility, police approached and arrested the three men without incident.

 

FHP said that Aguilera Baute and Hechevarria Echemend were responsible for the first five cargo theft incidents, allegedly stealing $1.3 million worth of product. Batista Suarez was involved in the sixth and final cargo theft incident, reportedly stealing about $300,000 worth of product. This product was still in the trailer when the men were arrested, according to reports.

Investigators say that the men used their cellphones to coordinate the cargo thefts.


Search
Sponsored
Categories
Read More
Trucking News
Malware targeting ELDs could allow hackers to take control of semi trucks, researchers say
Colorado State University (CSU) researchers say that cybersecurity vulnerabilities in Electronic...
By MEGA MISTAKES 2024-03-22 16:46:40 0 10K
Trucking News
CHP troopers find numerous violations while enforcing seven ton weight limit
Troopers with the California Highway Patrol (CHP) recently increased patrols to enforce...
By Truck Drivers Life 2023-05-12 22:39:59 0 12K
Trucking News
Police called on drunk lady trucker, who then punched cop in face
A truck driver is facing DUI charges and more after getting into a scuffle with police at a truck...
By MEGA MISTAKES 2022-07-14 13:55:38 0 10K
Trucking News
Truck driver rescued after plummeting into North Carolina river
Police responded to rescue a truck driver who plummeted into a North Carolina river on Friday...
By MEGA MISTAKES 2024-03-15 16:04:24 0 8K
Trucking News
KLLM acquires Georgia reefer carrier
On Thursday, KLLM Transport Services announced the acquisition of a refrigerated carrier...
By MEGA MISTAKES 2022-07-14 22:38:15 0 8K