In a joint effort between multiple law enforcement agencies in South Florida, 10 men were arrested following an investigation into a sophisticated marine GPS theft ring.
The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, Miami-Dade Police Department, Collier County Sheriff’s Office, and the 16th Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office joint operation resulted in the arrest of 10 individuals in connection with a marine GPS theft ring operating across the Florida Keys and South Florida.
The investigation was initiated in May 2023 after suspect vehicles were observed in Miami, believed to be linked to marine thefts in Monroe County.
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Monroe County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Unit, Special Operations Detectives, and members of the Miami-Dade Police Department Marine Theft Task Force collaborated to gather evidence, including cell phone data, which eventually led to the issuance of 11 arrest warrants.
The arrests have not only resulted in apprehending individuals suspected to be part of the theft ring but have also led to the resolution of multiple marine/GPS theft-related cases in Islamorada.
“I’m happy to announce these thieves are behind bars,” said Sheriff Rick Ramsay. “I want to thank our law enforcement partners, particularly Miami-Dade Police, the Collier County Sheriff’s Office, and State Attorney Dennis Ward’s office, for their shared commitment to stopping and prosecuting these cases. Our message: If you commit these crimes in Monroe County, you will end up in jail.”
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All 11 suspects, 10 of whom were arrested Wednesday, reside in Miami-Dade County and face a total of 122 charges: See attached for a complete charges list.
- Juan Felipe Villegas, 19, bond set at $1,085,000
- Lazaro Arturo Gonzalez Munos, 22, total bond set at $1,085,000
- Paul Moises Balbino Crespo, 23, total bond set at $695,000
- Denzel Varona, 18, total bond set at $465,000
- Jonathan Richard Lopez, total bond set at $200,000
- Anthony Manuel Guerra, 23, total bond set at $120,000
- Walfrido William Garcia, 22, total bond set at $50,000
- Carlos Mederos, 45, total bond set at $50,000
- Oscar Sahori Medina, 24, total bond set at $50,000
- Alfredo Sanchez, 29, total bond set at $50,000
The remaining suspect, Milton Horney Gonzalez Gil, 53, whose bond was set at $50,000, is still at large.
Total bond for all 11 suspects is $3.9 million
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