Thieves in Florida use tractor trailers to steal more than $1.6 million in alcohol from US distributor

CNN via Yahoo ^ | 10/15/2023 | Isabel Rosales

[DFG]

An investigation is underway in Florida after burglars used tractor trailers to steal more than $1.6 million worth of alcohol from a distribution company that carries brands including Jose Cuervo and Malibu.

The theft began during the early morning hours on July 8 at Republic National Distributing Company, located in Hillsborough County south of Tampa, according to a newly unsealed search warrant obtained by CNN on October 5.

Between between 4:10 a.m. and 9:45 a.m., the thieves removed 4,277 cases of liquor from the company that also distributes alcohol from Franzia Wines and Sutter Home Winery, according to the search warrant, which was issued for an Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max.

Authorities believe there is probable cause that the phone “contains specific information, technical data and evidence” showing that a burglary and grand theft took place, according to the warrant.

The thieves, referred to in the document as “unknown suspects,” also removed digital video recorders used by the alcohol distributor for video surveillance purposes, the warrant stated.

Located in Gibsonton, Florida, RNDC is one of the nation’s largest wine and spirits distributors with 14,000 employees in 38 states and Washington, D.C., according to the company’s website.

[telescope115]

That’s a fact!

[Phoenix8]

My HS friend used to tell this story over and over at parties. When he still lived in Illinois as a HS freshmen (before he moved to In.) him and some friends dug a hole under the security fence at a beer warehouse and took like 24 cases.

I bet this story REALLY impresses him.

[Ignatz]

$1.6 million worth of Jose and Malibu?
Where did college spring-breakers get 10,000 tractor-trailers?

[Fireone]

“musta been an inside job”
That was my instant first suspicion.
They took the video recorders, knew where the stuff was, knew how to efficiently load it, knew what time to pull off the heist.
Inside job, all the way.

[Liz]

Amen

[meyer]

Perhaps the trailer was already loaded at the dock and all they needed to do was hook up and go.

Someone(s) on the inside loaded the trailer on the night shift, they took off with the goods at 4 AM with the plates obscured or covered.

[chuck allen]

14,000 employees in 38 States. Doesn’t say how many in Florida and what hours they work on Saturdays.

[Tupelo]

Northbound and down
Loaded up and Trucking.
They gonna do what can’t be done

[Kartographer]

There was most likely a forklift on site.

[ABN 505]

Years ago I worked at Heublein Mfg. in West Hartford ct. a major bottler distributor of Alcoholic products. The back door of the charcoal distillery was adjacent to the railroad tracks where most of the spirits were shipped.A group of employees used that access door to steal from the trains. There was a conveniently located strip club across the street where many cases of booze found their way with the help of a group of employees. When they broke up the thefts they figured they had stolen over 5 to 7 hundred thousand dollars of vodka and whiskey over the years. The worst part was they shut down the strip club afterword, that was a major loss!

[Liz]

Interesting story......thanks.

[piasa]

I wonder if these smaller heists these guys pulled off are related to this major one.

These were after Scotch.

Illegal Alien and Suspected Tren de Aragua Gangster Cries Like a Baby After Arrest in Florida: ‘Life as He Knew It is Over’
Gateway Pundit ^ | April 19, 2025 | Staff
Posted on 4/19/2025, 10:34:25 PM by Red Badger

Credit: Polk County Sheriff’s Office

********************************************************************

Someone find the world’s smallest violin.

An illegal alien and an alleged Tren de Aragua gangster broke down like a baby being arrested in connection with a violent liquor store robbery spree across central Florida, authorities said.

Ramon Jesus Carpintero-Luna, 26, was caught alongside four other suspects tied to a series of armed heists that targeted more than 30 liquor stores, netting an estimated $30,000 in stolen goods....