FLORIDA – The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) has apprehended four individuals believed to be involved in a theft ring operating across the state of Florida.
According to the FDLE, the alleged organized theft ring is based out of the Miami area, with operations spanning 14 Florida counties.
The FDLE said it arrested Daryl Machado, 37, of Miami, his wife Diana Sanchez, 50, of Miami, Gualberto Rodriguez, 74, of Miami, and Miguel Sanchez Cardosa, 48, of Naples, for their alleged involvement in the theft ring.
They face racketeering charges, conspiracy to commit racketeering, multiple counts of burglary, grand theft, and dealing in stolen property.
The FDLE said its Sebring Field Office initiated the investigation in May of 2021 after detectives from the sheriff’s offices in Collier, Lee and DeSoto counties provided agents with information on theft ring-related activities. Throughout the investigation, FDLE received support from multiple agencies around the state and helped agents and analysts to dismantle the criminal organization, the FDLE said.
Reportedly, the investigation revealed that the suspected theft ring targeted high-value heavy equipment and construction machinery such as skid steer machines, mini excavators, utility terrain vehicles (UTVs), and trailers used to transport the machinery.
The FDLE said the thefts started around April 2020, and in a two-year period, the FDLE’s Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) investigation linked the ring to 28 thefts totaling more than $1.7 million.
Some of the stolen equipment was reportedly recovered during the investigation.
Machado and Sanchez were arrested in Miami by FDLE agents on June 5. Rodriguez has been served with charges but was already in custody in St. Johns County for a skid steer theft.
Sanchez Cardosa was arrested in Collier County on June 9 for his alleged role.
Together, they face a combined 72 felony counts.
The case will be prosecuted by Attorney General Ashley Moody’s Office of Statewide Prosecution.
“These criminals stole more than $1.7 million worth of heavy construction machinery over two years, spanning 14 counties,” said Moody.
“The defendants now face a heavy load of more than 70 felony counts, and I look forward to my statewide prosecutors handling this case.”
