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
Trucker claims ‘the horses told him to’ fight troopers after breaking into barn near truck stop
A trucker from Texas was arrested on Tuesday after breaking into a house, a horse barn, and then...
By MEGA MISTAKES 2022-07-13 15:00:49 0 10K
Trucking News
Tennessee troopers identify two truckers killed in fiery I-40 construction zone crash
The Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) identified two CMV drivers who lost their lives in a two truck...
By MEGA MISTAKES 2022-05-05 21:06:55 0 12K
Trucking News
Bridge collapse in Pittsburgh injures 10, cause under investigation
Authorities are working to determine the cause of a major bridge collapse that injured several...
By Truck Drivers Life 2022-01-28 18:40:29 1 12K
Trucking News
Semi Slams Into Barn in Chatham Township, Closing Chippewa Road as Power Goes Out and Gas Is Shut Off Until Truck Is Removed
CHATHAM TOWNSHIP, OHIO — A semi-truck struck a barn in Chatham Township Monday...
By Truck Drivers Life 2026-02-03 18:00:29 0 570
Trucking News
Insurance canceled for trucking company battling lawsuits after deadly I-20 pile up crash
DALLAS, Texas — A trucking company involved in a fatal drowsy driving crash on Interstate...
By Truck Drivers Life 2025-10-10 13:48:52 0 4K
News | Truck Drivers Life | Social Network for Truck Drivers https://www.truckdrivers.life