Earlier this week, two Broward men were apprehended facing a slew of felony charges following the alleged theft of approximately $500,000 worth of forklifts from a business located near Doral. The authorities arrested the suspects, identified as Eddie Jean-Baptiste, 20, of Plantation, and Elijah Torrealba, 19, of Coconut Creek, as detailed by Local 10 News.
NBC Miami has reported that the initial discovery of the robbery was by a maintenance worker on Sunday, when they noticed the security gates had been forcefully opened. Surveillance footage captured two men breaking the locks and climbing the main gate to allegedly assist in the heist of fifteen forklifts. To quickly make off with the heavy machinery, the police said the suspects returned in a black Range Rover and stole more forklifts, also noting the involvement of a dark-colored BMW.
Determined to recover the stolen items, the police tracked down some of the forklifts to a location in Medley. As police and the victim inspected the scene, Jean-Baptiste and Torrealba reportedly arrived in the BMW, only to flee upon spotting the authorities. In the ensuing flurry, Torrealba engaged to daringly drive the get-away car through red lights and in a manner endangering fellow drivers before abandoning the vehicle and attempting to flee on foot. Jean-Baptiste was apprehended at the scene, while Torrealba was later taken into custody by a Hialeah officer.
During the investigation, it was revealed that the suspects allegedly planned to sell the stolen forklifts. Both men are facing various charges including first-degree grand theft and felony criminal mischief. According to the details shared by Local 10 News, Torrealba's charges are compounded by additional counts such as escape, fleeing and eluding police, as well as firearm possession. Jean-Baptiste's rap sheet extended to include resisting arrest with violence and is also out on probation for prior convictions.
Upon search of the suspects' BMW, law enforcement officers reported finding a Glock handgun and marijuana, alongside clothing matching that of the individuals in the surveillance footage. As of the latest updates, both suspects were held at Miami-Dade County’s Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center, with Torrealba's bond set at $32,500 and Jean-Baptiste awaiting a bond hearing. Ten of the fifteen stolen forklifts have since been recovered, revealed staff at the Forklift Parts & Equipment, albeit with some sustaining damage in the theft.
