Florida police arrested four men, three of them of Cuban origin, accused of carrying out illegal car theft and scrapping operations in Miami-Dade County.
As indicated by the media Local 10 Newsthe operation stretched from the far north to the south of the county.
The three Cubans were identified as Brayan Baena-Castañera, 20 years old, Yohan Cocho-Rodríguez, 30, and Didier García-Rodríguez, 43, who were arrested on Tuesday, September 5.
The fourth implicated was identified as Darian Rubiera-Lima, 35, who remains a fugitive from justice.
The police report states that the investigation began after officers executed a search warrant in early August and discovered several cars that had been reported stolen.
Also found at the scene were a wireless device that interfered with the vehicles’ GPS signals, a forklift, various cutting tools, and false vehicle identification numbers.
The operation was carried out in a house located in the 22000 block of 194th Avenue, in the Southwest, in rural Redland. Authorities arrested Rubiera-Lima on that occasion, who appeared in court and was released on bail shortly thereafter.
A second search warrant was served on August 11, at a home located in the 3800 block of Northwest 172nd Terrace in Miami Gardens, where officers also found license plates belonging to stolen vehicles and numerous car keys.
Agents also found mechanical components such as bodies, chassis, suspension parts, body panels, and windshields. As if that were not enough, they also found all the necessary tools to get hold of these components.
Finally, a forklift was found in the place that was registered in the name of Rubiera-Lima, who fled after being released on bail.
The place was kept under surveillance until Tuesday when the three Cubans were arrested outside the house, this after an alleged traffic stop.
Now, the three Cubans face various charges against them, including operating a scrapyard and third-degree grand theft. At the moment, the three remain in the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center under orders from the immigration authorities.
