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A mechanic employed by the City of Miami and his son, both of Cuban descent, face charges for operating a salvage yard where the police found stolen cars and "important components" valued at nearly 500,000 dollars.
The arrest of José Osvaldo Mena Crespo, 55 years old, and his son José Yamil Mena González, 26, took place last Wednesday as a result of an investigation that began in April, after a Florida Highway Patrol officer detected "inconsistencies" in several vehicles on the mechanic's property, revealed in an extensive report NBC6 South Florida.
The charges against the father and son include grand theft of a vehicle, organized scheme to defraud, operating a chop shop, securing the title of a stolen vehicle, trafficking in stolen property, and odometer tampering or manipulation, according to the records cited by the television channel.
Mena Crespo, who works as a heavy vehicle mechanic for the General Services Administration of the City of Miami, managed the wrecking yard family business where police found cars with main components belonging to other stolen vehicles, with a total value exceeding $466,000.
During the search of Mena Crespo's property, a Jeep, a Dodge Durango, a Chrysler 300, and a 1955 Buick were recovered, which had parts from other stolen vehicles.
According to the police report, the Jeep found at the Cuban's scrapyard contained parts from a 2018 Jeep Trackhawk valued at $80,000, which had been stolen from the Hard Rock Casino in September 2024.
In the Durango, parts from a Durango Hellcat 2021 valued at $77,000 were reused, which was stolen from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport in May 2024.
The Chrysler 300 had components from a Dodge Charger, which is valued at over $52,000 and was stolen from a home on Flagler Drive in Miami Springs last November.
Meanwhile, in the Buick 1955, there were parts from a Chevrolet Camaro 2023 valued at $73,000 and reported stolen from Dolphin Mall in Sweetwater in March of the previous year.
At the same time, at Mena González's residence, the police found an intact Durango Hellcat that had been reported stolen in Hialeah on March 30, and which had been sold in January 2024 for over $110,000, authorities indicated.
Mena González told investigators that he had purchased the vehicle for the modest sum of $5,000 from an unknown individual who came to his home and offered to sell it to him. According to his testimony, the seller said he would return with the car's title, but did not do so.
"Mr. Mena González did not ask the unknown individual for any identification, nor did he complete a sales invoice, nor did he document the transaction or the vehicle seller in any way," is noted in the report cited by NBC6.
The investigators discovered that the speaker wires of the Durango Hellcat had been passed through the grille to deactivate the alarm at the time of the theft, while the front passenger window had been shattered.
In the backyard shed of Mena González's property, body panels from several of the stolen vehicles were found, including the fenders and bumpers from two Chargers and the Chevrolet Camaro.
The investigation also revealed that a 2018 Dodge Challenger that Mena Crespo had previously sold contained parts from a 2019 Dodge Challenger, valued at $72,000, which was stolen from the luxury condominium The Boulevard, located at 5700 Biscayne Boulevard in Miami, in November 2023.
Furthermore, the detailed inspection of the modified vehicles at the junkyard revealed significant discrepancies in the mileage when they were purchased compared to the mileage recorded at the time of seizure.
Moreover, the police managed to trace Mena González's phone and link it to the thefts of two of the cars. The phone records place him in Hialeah at the time of the theft of the Durango Hellcat and near the Hard Rock Casino when the 2018 Jeep Trackhawk was stolen, authorities stated.
Both defendants appeared in court last Thursday, and a judge granted them bail.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Illegal Dismantling Workshop in Miami-Dade
Who are the accused of operating the illegal junkyard in Miami-Dade?
José Osvaldo Mena Crespo and his son José Yamil Mena González, both of Cuban origin, are the accused of operating the illegal scrap yard. Mena Crespo worked as a mechanic for the City of Miami and faces multiple charges related to the theft and dismantling of vehicles.
What did the police find in the junkyard in Miami-Dade?
The police found stolen cars and important components valued at nearly $500,000, including parts from high-end vehicles such as a Jeep Trackhawk and a Durango Hellcat. During the raid, several vehicles with stolen parts were recovered, including a Jeep, a Dodge Durango, a Chrysler 300, and a 1955 Buick.
What charges do José Osvaldo Mena Crespo and his son face?
The charges include grand theft of a vehicle, organized scheme to defraud, operating a chop shop, obtaining the title of a stolen vehicle, trafficking in stolen property, and odometer tampering. These charges reflect the seriousness of the illegal activities conducted at the workshop.
How did the illegal scrapyard operate in Miami-Dade?
The workshop operated by acquiring stolen vehicles and dismantling them to reuse and sell the parts. The accused not only dismantled the vehicles but also tampered with the odometers and manipulated documents to hide the illegal origin of the cars. Furthermore, there was evidence linking the accused to specific thefts, such as that of the Jeep Trackhawk and the Durango Hellcat.
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