ORLANDO, Fla. — Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced Thursday that the Office of Statewide Prosecution has filed formal charges against six men accused of operating a sophisticated “major theft organization” responsible for nearly $7.8 million in losses across the state.
The investigation, which began in May 2023, revealed a coordinated effort to target the supply chain by stealing unattended commercial semi-trailers loaded with high-value goods. Authorities identified 32 separate theft incidents and a vessel theft spanning Orange, Broward, Polk, Osceola, St. Lucie, and Volusia counties.
“This organized criminal operation targeted Florida’s supply chain and caused nearly $7.8 million in losses across our state,” Uthmeier said. “Now, they will answer for their crimes in court.”
According to investigators, the group focused on semi-trailers parked in commercial areas and distribution corridors. After stealing the vehicles and cargo, members would search for and disable GPS tracking devices to evade detection before transporting the property to South Florida for resale.
The stolen cargo included a wide range of commodities:
- Consumer goods: Shipments of retail merchandise and consumer electronics.
- Industrial materials: HVAC equipment and copper wire.
- Food and beverage: Energy drinks, cooking oil, food products, and high-value shipments of wine and spirits.
In total, the theft organization is linked to the theft of 51 commercial motor vehicles and 28 specific cargo shipments. Florida Highway Patrol Colonel Gary Howze credited the success of the case to the interagency coordination between the FHP Cargo Theft Task Force, the Orlando Police Department, and several sheriff’s offices across the state.
“Organized cargo theft is not a victimless crime — it drives up costs for businesses and consumers alike,” said Orlando Police Chief Eric Smith.
The six defendants named in the filing are:
- Alayn Espinosa Lopez
- Yerrison Perez
- Yasser Mederos Garcia
- Alexis Suarez Hernandez
- Alejandro Valdes
- Arley Osmany Hernandez Relova
All six individuals are in custody and face charges of Grand Theft and Conspiracy to Commit Grand Theft. If convicted, the defendants could face a combined maximum penalty of 300 years in the Florida Department of Corrections.
During the announcement, Uthmeier also addressed a separate high-profile triple murder case in Orlando, advocating for the pursuit of the death penalty against a suspect, Ahmad “Jihad” Bojeh, who was recently released prior to the murders.
Uthmeier emphasized that Florida remains a “law and order state” with a record low crime rate and a commitment to prosecuting criminals to the fullest extent of the law.
