MIAMI BEACH, Fla. – A 53-year-old man, labeled a “Christmas Grinch” by police, was arrested in Miami Beach Thursday in connection with a theft that occurred last November in the city of Miami, authorities said.
According to investigators, Jesus Fernandez, of Miami, was apprehended by the Priority Support Detail following a warrant issued after a thorough investigation by the Miami Police Department’s Burglary Unit.
The incident took place at approximately 12:35 p.m. on Nov. 23, 2023, after the victim, who identified herself as Camila Rodriguez, parked her vehicle outside of a Home Depot, located at 2999 SW 32nd Ave., in Coconut Grove, and went shopping.
Upon returning, Rodriguez discovered that all of her shopping bags which were stored inside her trunk and contained items worth approximately $1,000, were stolen, according to investigators.
Surveillance video from the victim’s Tesla captured Fernandez opening the trunk and stealing Fernandez’s packages, according to police. Fernandez was seen wiping his fingerprints from surfaces he touched within the vehicle before fleeing the scene, authorities said.
According to an arrest report, Rodriguez told police she recognized Fernandez because he smiled at her when she was walking into the Home Depot.
Dylan Santos told Local 10 News that he was there that day in November when he witnessed a man, stealing shopping bags from a car parked near the Home Depot.
Santos found the nickname amusing but shared his concern over the holiday theft.
“That is a pretty funny joke. I laughed so hard when I saw that,” said Santos. “I actually sent it to my mom and she was in tears. But also, (it’s) kind of messed up to do that during the holidays. People work hard and someone takes all their stuff.”
Santos watched on Rodriguez’s Tesla dashcam as he wiped his prints clean after swiping shopping bags from her trunk.
“I saw him pick up a shopping cart and I thought, ‘Wow, it’s Miami, what can you do?’” said Santos.
Police recently apprehended Fernandez, seen in court wearing an orange jumpsuit and facing charges read by a bond judge, including burglary of an unoccupied conveyance.
Santos also had a message for anyone who wants to swipe packages, especially around the holidays.
“Karma gets its own. Even if it’s a few months later,” he said. Karma will always follow you, no matter where you go. You’ve got to watch out for these streets.”
“I feel like we are back to Christmas. If you are naughty or nice, the law will know,” said Local 10 News reporter Christina Vazquez.
“The law will know, and Santa Claus will know if you are on the bad list,” Santos said with a smile.
Santos also shared the importance of locking doors and securing valuables to avoid similar incidents.
“Keep your doors locked and don’t leave anything valuable in your car,” he said.
Authorities said a detective with the Doral Police Department recognized Fernandez from a prior arrest, leading to his identification.
In addition to this incident, police said Fernandez faces other charges for similar crimes. Authorities said he also has outstanding warrants from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Interpol related to smuggling individuals across the Mexican border.
“This is another example of the great work done by our burglary unit, PSD, and the excellent teamwork Miami police has with neighboring police departments,” a city of Miami police spokesperson stated.
According to jail records, Fernandez is facing one count each of third-degree grand theft and burglary of an unoccupied conveyance.
As of Friday, Fernandez was being held at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center, where he remains in custody on bond related to charges from Miami and Miami Beach.