Police Arrest Duo Accused Of Stealing Holiday Gifts From Doorsteps
MIAMI (CBSMiami) - Surveillance video caught two crooks red-handed. The home security tape shows two people pulling up in a car in the Hammocks, hopping out and then stealing Christmas gifts from someone's front porch.
The man in the video, believed to be 20-year-old Gerardo Benedit, is seen running up to the door step grabbing an armful of packages, throwing them in his car and then doing it all over again while a woman in the video, believed to be 20-year-old Victoria Lopez, sat at the car and watched.
Investigators say when witnesses yelled at them to put the packages back, they drove off. Police said the pair hit dozens of homes.
"The suspects did confess they did steal from approximately 50 homes," said Miami Dade Police Detective Alvaro Zabaleta.
Zabaleta said there was a total of $10,000 worth of stolen goods, including electronics, clothes, shoes, jewelry and even children's toys.
The stolen packages were recovered after police tracked the suspects down at their home during "Operation Grinch Busters."
"Some of this merchandise detectives were able to find it within their residence already wrapped to be re-gifted to other people," Det. Zabaleta said.
Benedit and Lopez were in bond court Tuesday morning. Both are now being charged with grand theft.
"A lot of victims didn't know they were victimized they were still waiting for their merchandise not knowing it was already delivered and stolen."
Police are asking Hammocks residents to look at the video of the stolen goods and to give them a call if they recognize any of the gifts as their own. Proof of purchase will be required to pick up the items.
