A man was arrested in Hialeah after stealing highly prized birds from the roof of a residence

The Hialeah police arrested Lázaro Díaz, a 54-year-old homeless man, after accusing him of climbing onto the roof of a house to steal numerous prize-winning racing pigeons.

The unusual robbery, captured by security cameras, occurred in the early morning and revealed a criminal practice that is both rare and costly.

On September 22, just before 3:00 a.m., the surveillance cameras of a house located on the 600 block of West 15th Street in Hialeah captured a man climbing onto the roof of the property and stealing several pigeons, which he placed into a bag.

Other birds, outside the camera's field of view, were also captured and placed in an additional cage, as detailed in the police report cited by the local press.

Thanks to the visible tattoos in the images, the authorities were able to identify the suspect as Lázaro Díaz, who was already known to the area officers.

The police located him a few days later loitering around the area of East Eighth Avenue and 26th Street, around 2:00 a.m., and proceeded with his arrest.

High-value pigeons and a specialized crime

The stolen birds were not just ordinary city pigeons, they belonged to a collection of trained racing pigeons that had won competitions, which gives them significant economic and symbolic value.

In the world of breeders, these birds symbolize years of breeding, training, and participation in specialized competitions, where qualities such as speed, orientation, and return are evaluated.

Although the authorities did not specify how many pigeons were stolen or their final destination, the fact that they were placed in a bag and a separate cage leaves open the possibility that they were intended for sale or for clandestine use.

After his arrest, Lázaro Díaz refused to make a statement to the detectives and invoked his rights.

He was formally charged with burglary of an occupied dwelling and grand theft in the second degree, charges that carry serious penalties under Florida law.

A judge set a bond of $8,000 for Lázar Díaz, who was transferred to the Turner Guilford Knight (TGK) Correctional Center, where he remains detained.

The incident has raised concerns among pigeon breeders in South Florida, a small but passionate community.

Messenger pigeons—some capable of traveling hundreds of kilometers—not only have significant economic value, but they also represent the core of a passion passed down through generations.

The theft was viewed as something more than just an isolated criminal act: it was an attack on the effort and dedication of breeders who invest years in training their birds.

Many of them fear that this could set a dangerous precedent in an environment where the safety of their lofts is not typically on the authorities' radar.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Theft of Carrier Pigeons in Hialeah