Three men, believed to be part of a South Florida theft ring targeting boats and boat motors, were picked up last week by the Melbourne Police Department.
Unaware they were under surveillance, the men were arrested at Dockside Marine in Melbourne and face multiple felony charges after a tip from the Martin County Sheriff’s Office about an organized theft ring targeting boats and outboard motors operating in the area. Melbourne police officers and detectives – with the assistance of Brevard County Sheriff’s agents and deputies and the Brevard Aviation Unit – began surveillance at a number of south Brevard area storage facilities and retail boat outlets.
According to the arrest affidavit, just after 9 p.m. on May 7, three men were spotted at Dockside Marine, 2815 South Harbor City Blvd. in Melbourne.
Detectives watched as they cased the business, cut the fence, and entered the facility with tools they used to remove boat motors and equipment.
Law enforcement set up a perimeter to make the arrests and the three men, identified as Osmany Ruiz Moreira, 44, Orelvis Lopez Castillo, 40, and Amaury Figueredo, 36, fled on foot.
Officers, however, were able to quickly apprehend all three suspects with the help of K-9 Officer Dave Helms and his K-9, Brutus.
After their arrests, the trio was taken to the county jail; bond totaling $12,000 was set for each. They are scheduled for arraignment on June 6.
