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

0
11K


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
New Federal Law Forces FMCSA to Put CDL Drivers Out of Service for English Proficiency Violations
WASHINGTON, D.C. — A new federal appropriations law includes a provision directing the...
By Truck Drivers Life 2026-02-05 15:52:17 0 925
Trucking News
Motorist Intentionally Crashes Into Tanker Truck, Sparks Fire in Glendale, Arizona
Police in Glendale, Arizona, say that a Wednesday morning crash involving a tanker truck was...
By American Truck Drivers 2025-02-12 18:30:06 0 7K
Trucking News
Semi-truck overturns on Corpus Road, spilling grapes
BAKERSFIELD, California — A semi-truck hauling grapes overturned Monday morning on Corpus...
By Truck Drivers Life 2025-10-28 00:33:57 0 1K
Trucking News
Woman waiting in the parking lot for a truck driver has a heart-melting surprise
A social media influencer is going viral for her wholesome and inspiring truck driver...
By Truck Drivers Life 2020-12-04 21:37:17 2 19K
Trucking News
North Dakota Highway Patrol Reminds Drivers That Loads Over 14 Feet Require a Permit After Pickup Hauling Oversized Bin Strikes and Damages Highway Sign
NORTH DAKOTA — The North Dakota Highway Patrol is reminding drivers that loads exceeding 14...
By Truck Drivers Life 2026-03-04 19:15:46 0 437
News | Truck Drivers Life | Social Network for Truck Drivers https://www.truckdrivers.life