Suwannee County Sheriff's Office
Contributor
On Tuesday, March 30, the Suwannee County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) Investigations Division assisted the Madison County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) with a vehicle theft investigation.
The MCSO was investigating the theft of a pickup truck pulling a trailer with a Kawasaki Mule UTV on it, which was recently stolen from Madison County. The trailer and UTV were discovered at a residence in the 10600 block of 219th Road, in the area of Dowling Park.
Investigators made contact with the residents of the house, 44-year-old Miguel Cruz, of Live Oak and 49-year-old Riccy Ramos-Hernandez, of Miami and determined the pair had numerous stolen vehicles on the property. It was also determined that the two were operating a stolen vehicle “chop shop,” based upon the numerous vehicle parts that were scattered throughout the property, to include the cut-up frame of a Peterbilt semi-truck.
Investigators were able to recover a 2015 Mercedes Benz car which was stolen from South Florida, a 2015 Dodge pickup stolen from Columbia County, a flatbed trailer and the Kawasaki Mule UTV stolen from Madison County, a 2020 Freightliner bucket truck stolen from South Florida, two flat-bed trailers, one aluminum horse trailer stolen from Gadsden County and a Peterbilt semi-truck stolen from Columbia County.
Cruz, who is a convicted felon, was also found to be in possession of a 12-gauge shotgun.
Both men were arrested and charged with grand theft ($20,000-$100,000), three counts of grand theft automobile and operating a chop shop. Cruz was also charged with possession of a firearm/ammo by a convicted Florida felon and possession of firearm during the commission of a felony.