A Cuban national has been taken into custody by law enforcement, accused of orchestrating a spree of thefts at Home Depot stores across Miami-Dade County over an eight-day period. The alleged thief, identified as Rubén Enrique Gutiérrez Jiménez, 33, was reportedly arrested last Friday. His activities, targeting locations in Hialeah and Hialeah Gardens, were revealed through police reports cited by NBC6 South Florida.
Authorities have detailed that Gutiérrez executed the theft of power tools valued at thousands of dollars from Home Depots in these South Florida cities, beginning March 7. On that particular day, Gutiérrez entered the Home Depot at 950 Southeast 12th Street in Hialeah and exited with a shopping cart containing two grinders worth $328, without paying.
The following day, Gutiérrez returned to the same location, leaving with two grinders and a heat gun, amounting to $417. Later that same day, he targeted the Home Depot at 13895 W. Okeechobee Road in Hialeah Gardens, where he took two drills and a hammer drill, collectively priced at $447.
Gutiérrez’s theft streak continued on March 9 at the Hialeah Gardens store, where he made off with a drill, an impact wrench, and a circular saw, all valued at $597. On March 10, he stole another set of tools, including two drills and a circular saw, totaling $567. Two days later, he took multiple tools valued at $589, and on the 13th, another batch of equipment worth $586 from the same establishment.
On March 11, at the Southeast 12th Street location in Hialeah, he stole several items valued at $756. However, when he returned to this store on March 14, a store investigator spotted his vehicle—a gray 2021 Hyundai Elantra—in the parking lot. Gutiérrez attempted to leave the premises with a cart of power tools valued at $996, but police intercepted him as he headed to his car.
Officers discovered that the accused had conducted seven pawn transactions in Hialeah, claiming ownership of the stolen goods. According to police records, Gutiérrez faces charges of theft, trafficking in stolen property, and providing false verification of ownership or an altered or false identification.
Frequently Asked Questions about Theft Incidents in Miami-Dade
How was Rubén Enrique Gutiérrez Jiménez caught?
Gutiérrez was caught when a store investigator identified his vehicle in the parking lot during his last theft attempt, leading to his arrest by police officers.
What charges does Gutiérrez face?
Gutiérrez is charged with theft, trafficking in stolen property, and providing false verification of ownership or an altered or false identification.
What items were stolen by Gutiérrez?
Gutiérrez primarily stole power tools, including grinders, drills, a heat gun, an impact wrench, and circular saws, amounting to thousands of dollars.