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The police arrested a man of Cuban origin accused of committing a series of robberies at Home Depot stores in Miami-Dade County, over eight consecutive days.
The alleged serial thief, identified as Rubén Enrique Gutiérrez Jiménez, 33 years old, committed the crimes at stores located in Hialeah and Hialeah Gardens, and was arrested last Friday, according to police reports cited by the television network NBC6 South Florida.
According to the police investigation, Gutiérrez stole power tools worth thousands of dollars from Home Depots in both cities of South Florida since March 7.
On that day, the defendant entered the establishment located at 950 Southeast 12th Street in Hialeah and left with two grinders worth $328 in a shopping cart, which he did not pay for.
A day later, he returned to the store and took two grinders and a heat gun without paying, with a total value of $417. On that same March 8, he arrived at the Home Depot at 13895 W. Okeechobee Road in Hialeah Gardens and took two drills and a hammer drill, which together cost $447.
Gutiérrez continued the wave of thefts on the 9th, at the same store in Hialeah Gardens, but this time he took a drill, a impact wrench, and a circular saw, all valued at 597 dollars.
Also in that business, on the 10th, he stole two more drills and a circular saw, worth $567; two days later, multiple tools totaling $589, and on the 13th, another batch of equipment valued at $586.
At the Southeast 12th Street branch in Hialeah, he stole several tools on the 11th, with a total value of 756 dollars.
But upon returning to this last warehouse on March 14, a researcher from the chain of stores identified his vehicle—a gray 2021 Hyundai Elantra—in the parking lot.
Gutiérrez doubled down on his bet and left Home Depot with a cart containing power tools worth a total of 996 dollars. As he headed to his car, he was stopped by police officers.
The agents discovered that the defendant had conducted seven pawn transactions in Hialeah, claiming to be the owner of the stolen items.
According to police records, Gutiérrez is facing charges that include theft, trafficking in stolen property, and providing false verification of ownership or a false or altered identification.
Frequently Asked Questions about Theft in Miami-Dade
Who is the Cuban arrested for thefts at Home Depot stores?
The arrested Cuban is Rubén Enrique Gutiérrez Jiménez. This 33-year-old man was apprehended for carrying out a series of thefts at Home Depot stores in Hialeah and Hialeah Gardens, stealing power tools valued at thousands of dollars.
What kind of products did Rubén Gutiérrez steal from Home Depot?
Rubén Gutiérrez stole power tools. During his wave of thefts, he took grinders, angle grinders, drills, impact wrenches, and saws, among other items, accumulating a significant value in stolen merchandise.
How was the suspect captured after the robberies at Home Depot?
He was identified by his vehicle in the store parking lot. An investigator from the Home Depot chain recognized his car, a gray Hyundai Elantra, which led the police to arrest him as he was trying to leave with more stolen tools.
What charges is Rubén Gutiérrez facing?
Gutiérrez faces charges of theft, trafficking in stolen property, and providing false verification of ownership or false identification. These charges reflect the seriousness of his actions at the Home Depot stores in Miami-Dade.
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