Two men are facing charges in connection with a string of thefts of expensive infotainment systems from trucks at a dealership in Kendall, authorities said.
Read more 11 Florida laws you should know that take effect on July 1
The thefts happened on different dates at Kendall Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram and targeted the systems in Dodge Ram trucks, arrest reports said.
According to the reports, Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office investigators responded to the dealership last month after it was discovered that 18 of the systems had been stolen from the vehicles.
The trucks were kept in a lot where some vehicles belonging to customers that are being serviced are stored, and it was determined the suspects cut through the chain link fence to get into the lot.
The systems are worth around $5,314 each and over $1,000 in damage was caused to the vehicles, the reports said.
Read more Driver, 17, killed in crash on I-95 at Hallandale Beach Boulevard in Broward
Authorities said the suspects, Josmanny Alexis Valdez and Celestino Ayala Jr., both 25, offered the infotainment systems for sale on Facebook Marketplace, the reports said.
On May 28, detectives set up an undercover purchase of an infotainment system and when the suspects arrived with two infotainment systems they were taken into custody, the reports said.
Both had been stolen from Kendall Dodge and other infotainment systems found in Valdez’s van were found to have been stolen from the dealership, the reports said.
Valdez faces charges including burglary of an unoccupied conveyance, grand theft and criminal mischief. Ayala is charged with dealing in stolen property.
Read more Man arrested after being accused of slapping park ranger in Fort Lauderdale, police say