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

0
10K


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
Ohio turnpike reopened after semi trucks burn on each shoulder
The Ohio Turnpike has been reopened after an incident involving a semi truck burning on either...
By MEGA MISTAKES 2022-04-28 22:15:17 0 14K
Trucking News
Family of truck driver killed during police chase files $26M wrongful death claim against Lakewood
LAKEWOOD, Wash. — The family of a semi-truck driver who was killed after police pursued...
By Truck Drivers Life 2025-11-06 16:47:41 0 3K
Trucking News
Man killed after jumping off bridge into path of semi truck
A man is dead after jumping off of a bridge and into the path of an oncoming 18 wheeler in Texas...
By MEGA MISTAKES 2021-09-09 16:24:58 0 10K
Trucking News
Car Crushed but No Injuries Reported After Going Under Semi-Trailer on I-65 North in Bowling Green
BOWLING GREEN, KENTUCKY — No injuries were reported after a collision between a passenger...
By Truck Drivers Life 2025-12-07 18:42:27 0 902
Trucking News
Oklahoma bill signed into law to protect drivers who strike protesters
On Wednesday, Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt signed a bill into law that will provide more...
By MEGA MISTAKES 2021-04-22 20:40:20 0 13K
News | Truck Drivers Life | Social Network for Truck Drivers https://www.truckdrivers.life