GPS Tracking Device Helps Track Down $500,000 of Imported Wine

8 Aug 2013

Wine thief caught red-handed (pun intended) with $500,000 worth of wine, by using GPS tracking.

GPS tracking devices are catching all sorts of criminals these days. From thieves trying to steal expensive construction materials to individuals stealing cars, GPS tracking devices are helping victims become crime solvers. The newest story is in regards to imported wine stolen from a truck owned by American Express Lines.

GPS trackers are being used by law enforcement throughout the country, as well as individuals and businesses. Many owners of trucking companies, like American Express Lines, have installed these devices on their trucks in lieu of a potential theft and to keep track of employee’s deliveries and expedite properly.

In Miami, Florida, the owner of American Express Lines thought it would be like every other day. That was until one of his trucks, a 53-foot semitrailer, went missing. Since he knew there was a GPS tracking device on all his trucks, he immediately got the local police involved.  The device on the truck allowed police to follow every move the thieve made, unbeknownst to the criminal.

Starting around 3pm, the Florida Highway Patrol started monitoring the GPS tracking activity. They watched as real-time live location updates showed up on their computer screens and dispatchers reporters the driving path of the stolen truck. According to the report, the truck was driving along Florida’s Turnpike, past Okeechobee Boulevard, Southern Boulevard and Forest Hill Boulevard. It didn’t stop until it reached Lake Worth Service Plaza.

Once the truck stopped, police drove to the site, but found that the cab was missing from the trailer. Another member of the FHP saw a blue cab making a beeline out of the plaza and after phoning in dispatch, found out it was the same color as the one suspected of being stolen. The troopers acted quickly, exiting the plaza and chasing down the cab. Within minutes, they were pulling over the driver, who was just East of Lake Worth Road.

The driver was Reinier Hernandez-Orta, 30, and he nearly got away with $500,000 worth of allegedly stolen wine.  As he was pulled over, Reiner exited his truck and was instantly questioned by the troopers. In the beginning of the questioning, Hernandez-Orta lied to troopers, claiming he owned the truck. But when they informed him they already had been tracking his movements via GPS, he asked for a lawyer.

Hernandez-Orta was booked into the Palm Beach County Jail for $100,000 bail and facing a first degree felony grand theft charge. And it was all thanks to the owner’s decision to install GPS trackers.

This wine heist incident isn’t the only one. Dr. Vino lists 12 more.


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