By: Mark Price
Source: The Bradenton Herald (TNS)
An unusual criminal ring focused entirely on heisting semi-trucks, trailers and dump trucks has been busted in Florida, resulting in $6 million worth of heavy equipment being found, according to investigators.
The “widespread theft ring” managed to swipe 19 semi trucks, trailers and dump trucks in just over seven months, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office said in an April 4 news release.
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Three men behind the thefts now face a series of felony charges, the sheriff’s office says.
“These weren’t just stolen trucks; these were critical tools for businesses, livelihoods for families, and key components of infrastructure projects across our region,” Hillsborough Sheriff Chad Chronister said in the release.
“We’ve stopped a major criminal enterprise that was taking from those who help drive our economy forward.”
The thefts, as far back as September, were spread across six counties in the Tampa region, including Hillsborough, Polk, Hernando, Pasco, Sarasota and Pinellas counties, officials said.
The 19 recovered vehicles were also spread across multiple counties, officials said.
Details of how detectives connected the thefts and closed in on the three men have not been released.
The suspects have been identified as: Rayge Sanchez, 40, Christian Garcia Diaz, 26, and Jose Nuñez, 29, officials said.
Sanchez and Diaz are each charged with five counts of grand theft of $100,000 or more, and engaging in a racketeering conspiracy (RICO act).
Nuñez, who was arrested by the Florida Highway Patrol, has been charged with seven counts of grand theft of $100,000 or more and engaging in a racketeering conspiracy (RICO act).
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