Three men are facing charges in connection with an organized retail theft scheme that targeted hardware stores throughout Florida, authorities said.
Read more Man facing child porn possession charges after Hollywood SWAT raid, cops say
Johnny Batista, 19, Roberto Hernandez-Castro, 39, and Roberto Aldana Ferrera, 31, are facing a number of charges including grand theft, racketeering, conspiracy to commit racketeering and burglary, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced Wednesday.
The suspects committed smash-and-grab burglaries at local hardware stores and small businesses, taking high-end tools and leaving without paying, Uthmeier said.
Hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of merchandise was stolen along with thousands of dollars in damages, officials said.
Read more Motorcycle rider airlifted to hospital after crash in Hialeah, officials say
The thefts were committed across 13 Florida counties, including Martin, Palm Beach, Broward, Miami-Dade, Orange, Polk, Brevard, Seminole, St. Lucie, Indian River, Duval, Sarasota, and Pinellas.
The stolen items were brought to Miami-Dade to be sold, Uthmeier said.
Batista was arrested in Palm Beach while Aldana Ferrera is currently facing charges in Georgia and will be extradited to Florida, officials said. Hernandez-Castro is currently at large and has an active arrest warrant, Uthmeier said.
If convicted, they face a maximum of life in prison.
“This group of criminals carefully orchestrated thefts across at least thirteen counties to turn over illicit proceeds as quickly as possible,” Uthmeier said in a statement. “In Florida, our Organized Retail Theft Task Force will dismantle theft rings, keep retail costs low for consumers, and protect hard-working Floridians.”
Read more Miami man ran street confidence games that took thousands from victims, cops say