Thieves Busted: 3,500 Pairs of High-End Sunglasses Recovered in Multi-State Retail Theft Ring
Three Miami Men Arrested in Connection to Multi-State Retail Theft Ring
Authorities have recovered over 3,500 pairs of high-end sunglasses following the arrest of three Miami men connected to a multi-state organized retail theft ring. Miami Police Chief Manny Morales identified the suspects as Alexander Trujillo Gomez, 48, Xavier Perez, 52, and Lazaro Salazar Hechavarria, 28, who are responsible for the theft of high-end designer sunglasses.
Valued at $1.2 Million, Merchandise Stolen from Stores in Tennessee and South Carolina
The stolen merchandise, valued at around $1.2 million, was taken from stores in Tennessee and South Carolina. The thieves would cause damage across the multi-state retail ring, breaking through walls, disabling security systems, and making off with large quantities of sunglasses.
Professional Thieves
"They were professionals at doing what they did," said an official. "They broke through at least one business through the wall, disabled the security system, and were able to take a large quantity of sunglasses."
Miami Police Officer’s Investigative Work Leads to Arrests
It was a Miami Police Officer who saw the three men arrested in Tennessee and dug deeper into their ties to Miami. "What our investigators discovered is that three men were taking a rental vehicle, driving to South Carolina and Tennessee, subsequently breaking into Sunglass Huts, and shipping the stolen merchandise to a location in the 1100 block of Northwest 34th Avenue in our very own Flagami," said the official.
Sunglasses Found in Miami Neighborhood
At the location, officers did not find the shades but instead found the answers as to where they were being stashed away. Police have not yet released the location, but said they are happy to be putting a stop to this retail rip-off.
Arrests Made, Investigation Ongoing
The three men are being held in custody in Tennessee and are expected to go before a judge on Thursday. The investigation is still open and ongoing, with additional charges possibly being filed and more arrests made.
Conclusion
The recovery of over 3,500 pairs of high-end sunglasses is a significant victory in the fight against organized retail theft. The arrest of the three Miami men and the disruption of their criminal operation send a strong message that law enforcement will not tolerate this type of activity.
FAQs
- How many pairs of sunglasses were recovered?
- Over 3,500 pairs
- Who were the three men arrested?
- Alexander Trujillo Gomez, 48, Xavier Perez, 52, and Lazaro Salazar Hechavarria, 28
- Where were the sunglasses stolen from?
- Stores in Tennessee and South Carolina
- What is the value of the stolen merchandise?
- Around $1.2 million
- What is the status of the investigation?
- Ongoing, with additional charges possibly being filed and more arrests made
