Three Men Arrested for Stealing 1,000 Pounds of Avocados from Miami-Dade Farm

MIAMI-DADE, Fla. — Three men have been arrested and charged with multiple offenses after allegedly trespassing onto a commercial farm in southwest Miami-Dade and unlawfully harvesting approximately 1,000 pounds of avocados valued at $1,000.

Yuniesky Leon Fiallo, Elio Manuel Nunez, and Reniel Torres-Fiallo face charges of third-degree grand theft, trespassing, and criminal mischief.

According to authorities, the suspects gained access to the property by cutting open the farm’s gate. Detectives later discovered around 1,000 pounds of avocados had been picked from the trees and left on the ground, presumably in preparation for removal.

The trio was apprehended after officers noticed flashlights moving inside the grove late at night. Law enforcement quickly established a perimeter around the area, leading to the suspects’ capture.

This incident is part of a growing trend of agricultural thefts in South Florida, where high-value crops like avocados have become frequent targets. Crimes like these not only result in financial losses for farmers but also cause physical damage to their property and crops.

Third-degree grand theft in Florida carries severe penalties, including up to five years in prison and significant fines. Investigators are continuing to assess the extent of the damages caused during the theft.

The case highlights ongoing security challenges faced by farmers in protecting their livelihoods from such crimes. Local authorities are urging farm owners to increase security measures while promising stricter enforcement to deter future incidents.