Bobcat
05-16-2014, 07:04 AM
Police expect more boat, fishing equipment thefts
No uptick yet, but regional trend indicates it’s coming
BY DAVID GOODHUE
dgoodhue@keysreporter.comMay 16, 2014
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It's almost summer in the Keys, and for police that means time to be on the lookout for more thieves trying to steal boats and other marine equipment.
There has been a string of boat thefts in the Upper Keys the past couple of weeks, and Monroe County Sheriff's Office deputies last Tuesday arrested one of two alleged crooks who were caught in the act trailing a stolen flats boat parked near Abel's Marina at mile marker 84.3.
Ricardo Jimenez, 48, of Cape Coral remains in the county jail on $70,000 bond and faces charges of grand theft, driving on a suspended license, fleeing police and obstruction of justice. His partner, whom police did not identify, got away.
Sheriff's Office Maj. Lou Caputo credits catching Jimenez, as well as two other alleged boat thieves weeks earlier by Bud 'N Mary's Marina, to an observant public. But he also said thefts would decrease significantly if more people locked away and secured their belongings.
"As you know, there’s always someone out there looking for opportunities to steal boats, motors, rod and reels and anything not secured," Caputo said. "First thing we need is for the public to do their part by locking up and securing property. The next thing we need is for the public to call whenever they see or hear something that is suspicious or out of place."
Caputo said the Sheriff's Office was able to clear a number of other marine equipment theft cases as a result of the Bud 'N Mary's arrest.
"Crime fighting is a partnership between the community and the police, and we need each other in order to make our community safe," Caputo said.
The Sheriff's Office also scored a big bust in late April after arresting three Miami-Dade County men -- Hector Torres, Alfredo Melian Casanova and Kristofer Lluis, all 18 -- who admitted to stealing fishing equipment up and down the Keys during over three months. Torres, from Kendall, has since been released from jail. But Lluis and Melian Casanova together face more than 60 felony theft counts and, as of Thursday, were still in county jail on $121,000 and $261,000 bond respectively.
Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Deputy Becky Herrin said the men told detectives they sold the stolen fishing gear at the Homestead Flea Market.
Despite these thefts and arrests, Detective Sgt. Mark Coleman said the county isn't necessarily experiencing a rise in these types of crimes. But in other parts of South Florida, there is an increase, he said.
"Other counties are seeing an uptick in these crimes, which means it is only a matter of time before thieves try to strike here in Monroe County," Coleman said.
Coleman said thieves targeting businesses often come in during the day posing as customers to get a good look at the type of security the store has, and to case the place for merchandise. They come back later to steal, often cutting a hole in a chain link fence.
Coleman recommends businesses install good perimeter lighting, cut back brush and trees surrounding their property and post operational security cameras around the lot. Dogs on the property also act as a deterrent to would-be thieves, Coleman said.
Sheriff Rick Ramsay said deputies will inspect home and business security measures upon request.
We can take a look at your property and your business and make some suggestions for making the property more secure," Ramsay said in a statement. "We would rather stop a crime from taking place than respond to it after the fact."
No uptick yet, but regional trend indicates it’s coming
BY DAVID GOODHUE
dgoodhue@keysreporter.comMay 16, 2014
FacebookTwitterGoogle PlusRedditE-mailPrint
It's almost summer in the Keys, and for police that means time to be on the lookout for more thieves trying to steal boats and other marine equipment.
There has been a string of boat thefts in the Upper Keys the past couple of weeks, and Monroe County Sheriff's Office deputies last Tuesday arrested one of two alleged crooks who were caught in the act trailing a stolen flats boat parked near Abel's Marina at mile marker 84.3.
Ricardo Jimenez, 48, of Cape Coral remains in the county jail on $70,000 bond and faces charges of grand theft, driving on a suspended license, fleeing police and obstruction of justice. His partner, whom police did not identify, got away.
Sheriff's Office Maj. Lou Caputo credits catching Jimenez, as well as two other alleged boat thieves weeks earlier by Bud 'N Mary's Marina, to an observant public. But he also said thefts would decrease significantly if more people locked away and secured their belongings.
"As you know, there’s always someone out there looking for opportunities to steal boats, motors, rod and reels and anything not secured," Caputo said. "First thing we need is for the public to do their part by locking up and securing property. The next thing we need is for the public to call whenever they see or hear something that is suspicious or out of place."
Caputo said the Sheriff's Office was able to clear a number of other marine equipment theft cases as a result of the Bud 'N Mary's arrest.
"Crime fighting is a partnership between the community and the police, and we need each other in order to make our community safe," Caputo said.
The Sheriff's Office also scored a big bust in late April after arresting three Miami-Dade County men -- Hector Torres, Alfredo Melian Casanova and Kristofer Lluis, all 18 -- who admitted to stealing fishing equipment up and down the Keys during over three months. Torres, from Kendall, has since been released from jail. But Lluis and Melian Casanova together face more than 60 felony theft counts and, as of Thursday, were still in county jail on $121,000 and $261,000 bond respectively.
Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Deputy Becky Herrin said the men told detectives they sold the stolen fishing gear at the Homestead Flea Market.
Despite these thefts and arrests, Detective Sgt. Mark Coleman said the county isn't necessarily experiencing a rise in these types of crimes. But in other parts of South Florida, there is an increase, he said.
"Other counties are seeing an uptick in these crimes, which means it is only a matter of time before thieves try to strike here in Monroe County," Coleman said.
Coleman said thieves targeting businesses often come in during the day posing as customers to get a good look at the type of security the store has, and to case the place for merchandise. They come back later to steal, often cutting a hole in a chain link fence.
Coleman recommends businesses install good perimeter lighting, cut back brush and trees surrounding their property and post operational security cameras around the lot. Dogs on the property also act as a deterrent to would-be thieves, Coleman said.
Sheriff Rick Ramsay said deputies will inspect home and business security measures upon request.
We can take a look at your property and your business and make some suggestions for making the property more secure," Ramsay said in a statement. "We would rather stop a crime from taking place than respond to it after the fact."