A Cuban man's audacious and costly theft led to his arrest in Florida, after authorities charged him with stealing nearly $4,000 worth of premium meat from two Publix supermarkets in Palm Coast.
The Flagler County Sheriff's Office reported that the incident occurred on January 5 and was captured by surveillance cameras. The suspect, identified as 30-year-old Heannys O. Álvarez Reyna from Jacksonville, was apprehended following the incident.
According to ClickOrlando, around 7:30 p.m., Álvarez Reyna entered a Publix store and meticulously selected over $1,500 in prime cuts of beef and lamb, leaving without paying. Less than twenty minutes later, he repeated the scheme at another nearby location, stealing over $2,000 in pork, tenderloin, brisket, loin, chicken breast, and even personal care items.
Authorities were able to identify him through the vehicle used during both thefts. Later, during questioning, Álvarez Reyna confessed that after his "shopping spree," he went to his girlfriend's house, only to find her cooking with another man. This unexpected scenario prompted him to dispose of a large portion of the stolen meat, according to the officers.
Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly highlighted what he saw as a premeditated crime. In statements cited by WFLA, he emphasized that this was not someone merely trying to stretch their budget, but a "calculated operation" that caused substantial losses to the stores. With irony, he noted that while the suspect's selection was "top-notch," his method was not, reminding that legal consequences are swift to follow.
Álvarez Reyna, identified by authorities as a Cuban national, was arrested on charges of grand theft and transported to the county detention center. He remains in custody on a $5,000 bond and also faces an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainer, which adds an element of uncertainty to his legal situation in the United States, as confirmed by reports from WFLA.
Key Details about the Arrest and Legal Proceedings
How was the suspect identified?
Authorities identified the suspect through the vehicle used in both thefts, captured on surveillance cameras.
What charges does Álvarez Reyna face?
He is facing charges of grand theft and has been issued an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainer.
What did the sheriff say about the crime?
Sheriff Rick Staly described the theft as a "calculated operation," causing significant losses to the stores, and emphasized that legal repercussions are inevitable.