I wonder if Rice Hauler was one of the boats recovered. :idea:
5 Indicted In 'Fast Boat' Theft Ring 10/11/06
Federal investigators said they have busted a boat theft ring and indicted five suspects after an investigation that began in Jacksonville.
The U.S. Attorney's Office said the suspects were stealing high-performance boats and then selling them.
The case originally began when Jacksonville Beach police investigated a boat theft. They contacted other agencies, dealing with similar thefts.
Prosecutors said the suspects took boats from several places around Florida, and from Southern Georgia, and moved them to the Miami area. They said the defendants changed the boat identification numbers, then fraudulently registered the boats.
The defendants allegedly sold most of the boats, but kept some for their own use.
Investigators said they've recovered a total of 38 stolen boats with a total value of $4 million.
I wonder if Rice Hauler was one of the boats recovered. :idea:
More info.....
Ariel Martinez, Gilberto Garcia, and Manuel Moure are charged with conspiracy to transport boats, alter their ID numbers and fraudulently obtain their titles and registrations.
Two other defendants, Ruben Thames and Orestes Armenteros, were charged in a separate indictment for possession of stolen boats that had been transported in interstate commerce.
Martinez, a 30-year-old resident of Hialeah, could face maximum penalties of 65 years' imprisonment and a $1,750,000 fine. Garcia, a 32-year-old resident of Hialeah, could face maximum penalties of 25 years' imprisonment and a $750,000 fine. Moure, a 31-year-old resident of Miami, could face maximum penalties of 15 years' imprisonment and a $500,000 fine. Armenteros, a 54-year-old resident of Miami, could face maximum penalties of 10 years' imprisonment and a $250,000 fine. Thames, a 29-year-old resident of Miami, could face maximum penalties of 10 years' imprisonment and a $250,000 fine.
cool , glad they were nailed
cool , glad they were nailed
I wonder if any of the Scream And Fly peeps know them? :idea:
I wonder if any of the Scream And Fly peeps know them? :idea:
If you're going to steal something why bother with a fishing boat???
I hope the foks get the max, then the judge tacks on 20 because he owns a fast boat.
yeah!
Excellent news. Wonder if anyone from here had their boat stolen by those a-holes.
This investigations has been underway for about 2 1/2 years. It was some really good work by law enforcement and several insurance investigators. The suspects often broke into boat repair yards and pushed boats aside that they did not want, and stole the targeted boat. This is one of the largest investigations ever undertaken as it crossed many state lines. I worked the claim of one of the first boats taken from GA that was found for sale in FL.
Congrats to all involved!