A former staff member of the Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables, Florida, has been taken into custody and charged with the theft of over $7,854 worth of food items from the hotel's kitchens and storage areas. Among the stolen goods were 192 lobster tails, valued at $6,525, as reported by Miami-Dade County authorities.
Diego Alfredo Medina-Acosta, a 37-year-old Uruguayan national residing in West Miami, is facing a first-degree grand theft charge. He was apprehended on Monday by the Coral Gables Police Department and transferred to the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center.
Uncovering the Theft
The inquiry began in mid-September when the hotel's security director and executive chef informed police about missing kitchen and storage items. According to the arrest report, the chef noted that their inventory, tracked on an Excel sheet updated every Sunday, showed significant food discrepancies.
Both the security director and the chef identified Medina-Acosta as the main suspect.
Surveillance Footage Insights
Surveillance footage played a crucial role in the investigation. The cameras recorded Medina-Acosta arriving before his scheduled shift and accessing areas where the missing food was stored. The footage also showed him using various exits instead of the designated staff entrance.
In a particularly incriminating clip, Medina-Acosta was seen removing a cart loaded with lobster from storage, only to return it with some of the seafood missing.
Accused's Justifications
When interviewed by investigators, Medina-Acosta's explanations failed to convince the authorities. He claimed his early check-ins were to get a head start on work, yet hotel policy prohibits starting work before one's shift. Regarding the lobster cart, he stated it was for defrosting purposes but could not explain the missing seafood, as per the report cited by Local 10 News.
Detailed List of Stolen Items
The arrest report includes a detailed account of the allegedly stolen goods:
- 192 lobster tails valued at $6,525
- 116.7 pounds of pork belly worth $637.18
- 30 portions of snapper fillet costing $273
- 11 units of cleaned squid valued at $137.40
- Raw shrimp for $89.30, Argentine sausage for $54.28, potato gnocchi for $39.88, and coconut milk for $98.32
The total value of these items amounts to $7,854.36.
Hotel's Response and Court Proceedings
Medina-Acosta resigned before management could terminate his employment. His departure revealed a positive effect: the executive chef noted that post-resignation, the kitchen closed each inventory period with significantly more food than during the shortages.
Tom Prescott, the Biltmore Hotel's President and CEO, emphasized their strict stance: "We have zero tolerance for theft or any behavior that undermines the trust placed in our colleagues and our organization. We are pleased that an independent investigation corroborated our internal findings."
On Tuesday, Medina-Acosta appeared before Judge Mindy Glazer of the Miami-Dade Circuit Court, who found probable cause, set bail at $2,500, and assigned a Public Defender's Office representative. Upon reviewing the police report, the judge remarked with surprise, "It seems he has a taste for lobster tails," as noted by CBS Miami. Glazer also ordered Medina-Acosta to stay away from the Biltmore.
As a Uruguayan citizen, Medina-Acosta faces an immigration hold, meaning he might remain detained even if he posts bail.
Questions About the Theft Incident
What were the main items stolen by Medina-Acosta?
The primary items stolen included 192 lobster tails, pork belly, snapper fillets, cleaned squid, raw shrimp, Argentine sausage, potato gnocchi, and coconut milk.
How did the hotel discover the thefts?
The thefts were discovered through discrepancies in the inventory records and confirmed by surveillance footage showing Medina-Acosta accessing the food storage areas.
What was the outcome of Medina-Acosta's court appearance?
Judge Mindy Glazer set a $2,500 bail and assigned the Public Defender's Office to represent him, also ordering him to stay away from the hotel.