Web Desk
“Florida’s State Attorney’s Office has taken down an organized vehicle theft ring. Five Cuban citizens were arrested. One suspect remains at large. The group, described as “non-citizen foreigners,” stole over 80 cars.
This scheme started in June 2022, according to Attorney General James Uthmeier. He spoke at a press briefing in Tampa on Thursday.
Arrests and Suspect Identification
The five arrested are Héctor Rafael González Tamayo, Yainier Pinillo Toro, Yoan Oriol González Solórzano, María Beatriz Rodríguez La Rosa, and Felipe Benítez Alonso. Inti Gómez Alonso is still being sought. Their Cuban nationality was confirmed.
Mark Glass, Commissioner of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), said the group began operations over two years ago. They started in Fort Myers and then moved to Tampa and other areas in Florida.
Theft Methods and Vehicle Targets
The investigation showed the gang stole 81 vehicles. They mainly targeted high-end SUVs like Cadillac Escalades and Rolls Royces. They removed the vehicles’ VINs. They created fake titles and plates. They sold the cars for cash. Prices ranged from $5,000 to $15,000.
The most expensive cars sold for up to $25,000.
Tactics Used by the Theft Ring
Authorities said the gang used several methods. They rented cars at airports. They cloned keys before returning the cars. They used Apple Airtags or Samsung Smartags to track the vehicles. They stole the cars weeks later. They also targeted rental companies and small dealerships. They used similar tactics.
Charges and Legal Consequences
All suspects face charges of organized crime and conspiracy to commit organized crime. These are first-degree felonies. They could result in up to 30 years in prison. The FDLE estimates the ring made over a million dollars from the sales.
The cash has not been found. Uthmeier said Florida is a state of law and order. “We will seek justice,” he said. “We will work with the Trump administration to return these criminals to their countries of origin.”
Law Enforcement Collaboration and Investigation Details
The Office of the Specialized Prosecutor (OSP) is leading the investigation. The FDLE, State Attorney’s Office, Tampa International Airport Police Department, Florida Highway Patrol, and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) helped dismantle the ring.
Potential Connections to Other Criminal Networks
This case may be linked to a Cuban criminal network. That network was disrupted in Houston in December 2024. It operated at airports in Texas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Nevada, and Utah. Pinillo Toro, from the Florida ring, has been in custody since then.
Two other Cubans are also in custody. They are part of the Cuban Auto Theft Group (CATG). This group has 14 other suspects. Reports say the Cuban group stole over 50 cars. These cars were worth over $5,000,000.”
