MIAMI SPRINGS, Fla. – Authorities released surveillance video of a couple accused of a hotel heist near Miami International Airport Thursday, but they said the pair weren’t after cash or valuables.
Instead, police said the couple were after mini split air conditioning units.
According to arrest reports, the crime happened early Wednesday morning at the Holiday Inn at 1111 S. Royal Poinciana Blvd. in Miami Springs.
Miami Springs police took Jovanni Prieto, 32, and Rachel Diaz, 30, into custody. Prieto’s arrest report lists his occupation as “A/C mechanic.”
The pair have three children together and Diaz is pregnant with another, according to police.
Police said video shows the pair going into a shed and taking four A/C units; a security guard approached them and the couple took off.
Authorities believe they’ve done this before.
“They have an extensive past,” Miami Springs police Officer Janice Simon said. “So it is possible that this is not their first crime and it could be related to other crimes.”
Authorities said they caught the pair at a nearby Days Inn, located at 4767 NW 36th St.; the couple was staying at the hotel.
“So they were very humble,” Simon said. “But when I was handcuffing him, he was you know, telling me be careful of his hands. And I mean, he even said, he’s like, ‘They’re all cut up from air conditioners.”'
Police said they found Xanax and crystal meth in a safe in the couple’s room.
Prieto is facing burglary, grand theft and drug charges while Diaz is facing burglary, grand theft and criminal mischief charges.