Homestead resident Josmanny Alexis Valdez, originally from Cuba, was apprehended this Monday and now faces more than 20 serious charges. His arrest is linked to two separate theft incidents at a Kendall-area auto dealership in Miami-Dade. Valdez is accused of stealing expensive infotainment systems and causing thousands of dollars in damages, according to the Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office (MDSO).
Arrest records reveal that 25-year-old Valdez is implicated in two different investigations involving multiple thefts at Kendall Dodge. A second suspect, identified as Celestino Ayala Jr., also 25, remains at large.
Details of the Thefts
The first series of thefts was reported on May 15, when the dealership's service manager notified police about the theft of 18 infotainment systems from Dodge Ram trucks, models spanning 2019 to 2026, belonging to 14 different customers.
Investigators reported that Valdez and Ayala gained access to the lot where customers' vehicles were kept awaiting service by cutting a hole in the chain-link fence. Once inside, they removed the infotainment systems from the trucks and "cut the wiring harness" connecting the screen to each vehicle, causing permanent damage.
Each system was valued at approximately $5,314, with the damages to each vehicle estimated at around $1,087.
Tracking Down the Suspects
Detectives traced the stolen items to Facebook Marketplace, where listings were found under profiles named "Gio Valdez," "Josmanny Valdes," and "Laylowjr Ayala," all featuring identical photos.
On May 28, an undercover detective arranged to purchase two systems for $500 in a "buy-and-bust" operation. The suspects were seen removing the equipment from a blue Ford truck before heading to Dolphin Mall to complete the sale.
A subsequent search warrant executed on the vehicle confirmed the presence of additional stolen screens and radio modules from the dealership. Surveillance evidence also placed the suspects at the Dodge dealership on multiple occasions.
Additional Charges and Legal Proceedings
A second arrest report connects Valdez to more vehicle thefts at Rocco's Custom and Kendall Dodge, employing the same entry method and stealing parts.
In the first case, Valdez faces five counts of burglary of an occupied vehicle, five counts of grand theft over $3,000 while collaborating with others, five counts of criminal mischief over $1,000, and one count of burglary of an occupied structure. In the second case, he faces two additional counts for each of the first three offenses.
As of Tuesday, Valdez is held at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center with a bond set at $168,000. Several of his cases also have a Nebbia hold, a Florida legal requirement for the detainee to demonstrate that the bail money comes from a legitimate source before release.
Ayala remains at large. Authorities have urged anyone with information about his whereabouts to contact Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-8477.
This is not the first time Cuban residents in South Florida have faced accusations related to auto dealership thefts in Miami-Dade, a criminal trend that authorities have tackled with undercover operations due to the rise of the illegal parts market on digital platforms.
Understanding Auto Dealership Thefts in Miami-Dade
What charges does Josmanny Alexis Valdez face?
Valdez is facing multiple charges, including burglary of occupied vehicles, grand theft over $3,000, criminal mischief over $1,000, and burglary of an occupied structure, among others.
How were the suspects tracked down?
The suspects were tracked through Facebook Marketplace listings and a subsequent undercover operation that involved purchasing stolen infotainment systems.
What is a Nebbia hold?
A Nebbia hold is a legal provision in Florida requiring detainees to prove that the funds used for bail come from a legitimate source before they can be released.