TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Five people were arrested in connection to a statewide cargo theft ring that made its way to Duval County.
The following Miami-Dade residents now face charges related to seven incidents:
- Juan Carlos Almaguer, 42
- Alcide Frahuela Casanova, 56
- Cecilio Guillen, 45
- Yanier Torres, 30
- Julio Vega, 53
According to police, the five suspects are responsible for stealing more than $1.2 million worth of merchandise in eight different semi-truck thefts throughout Florida and their last attempt was in Jacksonville.
Officials said the thieves stole a parked truck from Edgewood Avenue. They also entered a ship yard off 12th Street West where multiple trucks were being secured. Police said they stole a semi containing tires worth $100,000, and then another one filled with $50,000 worth of sugar.
The five men are behind bars after stealing trucks, worth $150,000 right here in Jacksonville.
Attorney General Pam Bondi said these suspects typically traveled from Miami-Dade County in a rental vehicle to search for tractor trailers they could easily steal. She said once they stole the cargo and trailers, they returned to Miami to sell the stolen property on the black market.
Similar incidents also occurred in Broward, Hillsborough, Orange, Palm Beach and Polk counties.
Each suspect faces charges including conspiracy to commit racketeering and multiple counts of grand theft cargo $50,000 or more. Both are first degree felonies.
If convicted, they each face up to 30 years in prison per count.
This is yet another theft ring Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office has had to deal with in the last two weeks. The other burglary ring occurred off Spearing Street where two men stole $400,000 worth of items.