A Tampa man finds himself behind bars after a Facebook Marketplace post caught the attention of local law enforcement, leading to a discovery of stolen property worth thousands of dollars. According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, detectives identified an ad that featured an AC unit matching the description of one reported stolen from a Ruskin construction site.
Acting on a tip from the advertisement, detectives found themselves at the doorstep of 49-year-old Moises Lopez. After an investigation ignited by the advertisement, a second new AC unit and a water heater sitting in Lopez's garage raised the eyebrows of undercover detectives, suggesting a deeper involvement in construction thefts. While they initially visited to view the advertised property, detectives found that the AC units showed signs of being installed but not used, a hallmark often seen in pilfered goods.
After obtaining the serial numbers from the AC units, detectives confirmed one was swiped from Manatee County, while its partner came from a site in Hillsborough County. A warranted search led to the seizure of two Carrier-brand AC units and a water heater from Lopez's residence. Subsequently, he was charged with grand theft third degree and dealing in stolen property.
In a statement, Sheriff Chad Chronister condemned the thefts, asserting, "Those who believe they can exploit hard-earned money from individuals in our community and businesses will face serious consequences." He continued, adamant that "These crimes devastate our business community and local economy, and your sheriff's office is steadfast in protecting both," clearly indicating the department's resolve to combat property crime. Likewise, he broadcasted a stern warning: "Let this serve as a clear message that our detectives are committed to investigating and apprehending individuals who commit theft crimes of any magnitude and attempt to take advantage of community members.", as reported by the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office.
The sheriff's office announced that the investigation is still active as they seek to pin down other stolen goods and potentially more suspects connected to construction site thefts.
