Six Charged in Major Cargo Theft Ring Linked to $7.8 Million in Losses Across Florida

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By Staff Reporter

iSkyNews.com (ISN) – Published February 12, 2026

Six Charged in Major Cargo Theft Ring Linked to $7.8 Million in Losses Across Florida

ORLANDO, Fla. — Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier’s Office of Statewide Prosecution has filed charges against six individuals accused of participating in an organized cargo theft ring responsible for dozens of thefts and millions of dollars in losses across multiple Florida counties.

According to investigators, Alayn Espinosa Lopez, Yerrison Perez, Yasser Mederos Garcia, Alexis Suarez Hernandez, Alejandro Valdes, and Arley Osmany Hernandez Relova were each charged with Grand Theft and Conspiracy to Commit Grand Theft. Authorities allege the group carried out at least 32 cargo theft incidents and one vessel theft spanning Orange, Broward, Polk, Osceola, St. Lucie, and Volusia counties, resulting in estimated losses of nearly $7.8 million.

State officials say the investigation revealed the suspects were part of a Major Theft Organization (MTO) that systematically targeted unattended commercial semi-trailers loaded with high-value goods. The thefts involved shipments of retail merchandise, consumer electronics, copper wire, HVAC equipment, cooking oil and food products, energy drinks, wine, spirits, and other alcoholic beverages moving through interstate and intrastate commerce.

The investigation began in May 2023 after law enforcement received reports of stolen semi-trailers throughout the Orlando area and surrounding regions. Detectives determined the suspects would steal trailers from commercial areas, parking lots, and distribution corridors, then disable GPS tracking devices to evade detection. Investigators say the stolen cargo was then transported to South Florida and resold through co-conspirators involved in the distribution of stolen goods.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol Cargo Theft Unit, the organization is responsible for the theft of approximately 51 commercial motor vehicles and 28 cargo shipments between May 2023 and March 2025.

The case involved coordination between multiple agencies, including the Florida Highway Patrol, Orlando Police Department, Orange County Sheriff’s Office, Ocoee Police Department, St. Cloud Police Department, Polk County Sheriff’s Office, St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office, Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office, and Daytona Beach Police Department, along with the Attorney General’s Office of Statewide Prosecution.

Authorities confirmed that all six defendants have been arrested and are currently in custody. If convicted, they face a combined maximum penalty of up to 300 years in the Florida Department of Corrections.

The case underscores the significant impact of organized cargo theft on Florida’s supply chain, businesses, and consumers, as well as the coordinated law enforcement effort to dismantle large-scale criminal networks operating across the state.

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