Four undocumented Cuban citizens were arrested in the state of Florida following a months-long operation that dismantled an alleged organized crime network dedicated to stealing electronic control modules (ECM), the "brain" of commercial trucks.
The Hillsborough County sheriff, Chad Chronister, assured that the gang, in addition to operating in that county, was also present in Polk, Duval, and Lee, where they would break into the engine compartments of trucks, many parked while their owners were sleeping or resting, to extract these vital components.
The stolen devices were later sold to intermediaries in Texas for amounts ranging from $3,000 to $10,000, according to a report from FOX 35.
According to Chronister, at least 93 truck owners were affected, with total losses exceeding 750,000 dollars due to equipment theft and structural damage to the vehicles.
"This was not a corporate robbery. These individuals affected ordinary citizens who need their trucks to put food on the table. Many were left unable to work," lamented Sheriff Chronister at a press conference.
Who are the accused?
The detainees were identified as Geosvany Figueredo-González, Orlando Martínez-Dorta, Brian Sánchez-Pérez, and Liovel Urra-Penate, all residents of Palm Beach and Miami-Dade counties.
In total, they face 139 criminal charges, including conspiracy to engage in organized crime, grand theft, vehicle theft, and criminal damage. If found guilty, they could face up to 832 years in prison and potential deportation.
The case has been seized by the Florida Attorney General, James Uthmeier, to attack the immigration policies of the administrations of Barack Obama and Joe Biden, said Florida Politics.
Uthmeier stated that the suspects crossed into the United States during the previous Democratic administration and harshly criticized what he called "open borders policy."
“This is an example of what happens when people with criminal records are allowed entry without control. These four individuals should never have been here”, he stated.
During the investigation, over 25 search warrants and summonses were executed, which allowed for the capture of those responsible and the tracking of the ECM to a resale market in Texas.
Although the arrests have been praised by the authorities, Sheriff Chronister warned that there could be more individuals involved: “We will not allow them to affect our workers. Our truck drivers. Leave our citizens alone,” he stated.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Arrest of Undocumented Cubans in Florida for Stealing Truck Computers
Who was arrested in Florida for the theft of electronic control modules?
Four undocumented Cuban citizens were arrested in Florida, identified as Geosvany Figueredo-González, Orlando Martínez-Dorta, Brian Sánchez-Pérez, and Liovel Urra-Penate, for their involvement in an organized crime ring dedicated to stealing electronic control modules from trucks.
What was the modus operandi of the criminal gang dismantled in Florida?
The criminal gang operated by breaking into the engine compartments of trucks to extract the electronic control modules, which they then sold to intermediaries in Texas for amounts ranging from $3,000 to $10,000. These operations were mainly carried out in Hillsborough, Polk, Duval, and Lee counties.
What impact did this theft have on truck owners?
The theft affected at least 93 truck owners, with total losses exceeding 750,000 dollars, including structural damage to the vehicles and the inability to work for many owners who depend on these trucks for their daily livelihood.
How does this case relate to immigration policies in the United States?
The Attorney General of Florida, James Uthmeier, used this case to criticize the immigration policies of the administrations of Barack Obama and Joe Biden, calling them "open borders policy." Uthmeier argued that the suspects crossed into the United States during the Democratic administration and advocated for stricter immigration policies.
Filed under: