MIAMI SHORES, Fla. – Miami Shores police announced the arrest Tuesday of a notorious criminal who they say is accused of stealing expensive items from victims at golf courses across the nation over the past year.
MSPD said they responded to a report concerning a theft at a local golf course on May 30.
Investigators confirmed the stolen items, which included a gun, Rolex watch and personal identification documents, were taken from the victim’s golf cart during the course of play.
Authorities said after reviewing surveillance footage and license plate reader technology, investigators traced the vehicle associated with the theft to a home in the 1700 block of South Bayshore Dr.
On June 4, in collaboration with the Miami Police Department, Miami Shores police confirmed the arrest of 54-year-old Ivan Urquiza, who they say was operating under the alias “Philip Vincente.”
Police said Urquiza is sought in numerous states for multiple theft-related offenses and has been evading capture since 2013.
At the Miami Shores Country Club golf course, police said Urquiza was seen blending in, looking and playing the part. The staff, alerted to a potential scammer, reviewed the video footage.
“A gentleman appeared to be on the phone with a single golf club. We saw the whole thing—he went to the golf bag and took out a wallet,” said Resa Strickland, an operations manager with the Miami Shores Country Club.
One of those young women, who lives on Bayshore in Coconut Grove — described the swarm of police who arrested Urquiza arrest there last week. Investigators said they tracked Urquiza who was coming for a date.
Authorities confirmed Urquiza was found in possession of the stolen property, firmly linking him to the incident on May 30.
According to an arrest report, Miami Shores police said they observed Urquiza on surveillance video taking “numerous items” from a patron’s golf cart at the Miami Beach Golf Club, located at 2301 Alton Rd. on Jan. 15.
Detectives also said Urquiza used the website sugardaddy.com to dupe young women into believing he was rich while exploiting them. He is known to frequent golf courses daily, traversing the nation to target such venues for his illicit pursuits, authorities said.
Police said, “Given the scope of his activities, we suspect there are additional victims.”
Jail records show Urquiza is facing one count each of third-degree grand theft, unlawful possession of a stolen debit or credit card, unlawful possession of five or more identifications and dealing in stolen property.
As of Tuesday, he was being held at the Metro West Detention Center.
Urquiza appeared in a Miami-Dade courtroom Tuesday where a judge confirmed he has multiple out-of-state warrants for theft and probation violations. has an out-of-county warrant for Palm Beach County
He waived extradition on the warrants and ordered to stay away from the Miami Shores Country Club.
A judge also ruled he would not be able to bond out due to his existing out-of-state and out-of-county warrants.
Anyone who feels they have been victimized by the suspect is urged to call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-8477 or the Miami Shores Police Department at 305-759-2468.