Months after Christmas packages were stolen from the trunk of a Tesla in Coconut Grove, police have arrested a man they dubbed the "Christmas Grinch": a Cuban resident of Miami who is also accused of human smuggling across the U.S.-Mexico border.
Jesús Fernández, 53, was detained last Thursday on charges of theft and grand larceny, according to the Miami Police, who communicated the arrest to local media.
The theft occurred on November 25th in the parking lot of Home Depot located at 2999 Southwest 32nd Avenue. According to the police report, the victim had parked his Tesla and entered the store to shop. Upon returning, he discovered that the previously purchased items had vanished.
The car's security cameras captured an individual opening the trunk and taking the packages, valued at approximately $1,000. The thief acted swiftly, managing to open the Tesla's trunk before it locked automatically, but was recorded by all the vehicle's cameras.
In the footage, Fernández is seen taking the packages. Unable to carry them all, he fetches a Home Depot cart, fills it with the items, wipes down the car's exterior to avoid leaving fingerprints, and then leaves with the stolen goods. The images allowed investigators to identify the thief as Fernández.
The Cuban man faces additional charges of grand larceny and theft for similar cases being investigated by Miami-Dade and Doral Police. Furthermore, he had an outstanding arrest warrant from the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Interpol for human trafficking across the U.S.-Mexico border, authorities reported.
Fernández was placed in a Miami-Dade prison. On Friday, he appeared in court, and the judge set his bail at $17,150. However, Fernández could be deported to Cuba for the crime of human smuggling.
Details on the Christmas Package Theft Case
Here are some frequently asked questions regarding the arrest of Jesús Fernández for stealing Christmas packages and other related crimes.
What charges is Jesús Fernández facing?
Jesús Fernández is facing charges of theft, grand larceny, and human smuggling across the U.S.-Mexico border.
How did the police identify Fernández as the thief?
Police identified Fernández using security camera footage from the victim's Tesla, which captured him stealing the packages.
Where did the theft occur?
The theft took place in the parking lot of Home Depot at 2999 Southwest 32nd Avenue in Coconut Grove.
What is the value of the stolen items?
The stolen packages were valued at approximately $1,000.