The Coral Gables Police Department recently arrested 40-year-old Mario Sobalvarro in connection with a series of package thefts in the community. WSVN reports that Sobalvarro is linked to at least 15 package thefts across the Coral Gables area. The arrest followed a coordinated effort by detectives, the Crime Suppression Team, and patrol officers.
Surveillance footage from several homes showed Sobalvarro driving a Chevy Equinox with an Uber sign, taking packages from doorsteps, and quickly fleeing the scene. Coral Gables police later stopped a vehicle matching the description and confirmed that Sobalvarro was the suspect. According to CBS News, one of the stolen items was a $60 skirt taken on Presidents Day, and Sobalvarro was caught on camera during the thefts.
Sobalvarro’s arrest has brought some relief to victims in the area. Danny Catania, a homeowner whose package was stolen, told CBS News, "It's annoying, as it would be for anybody." He also shared the personal impact of the theft, saying, "The most recent package taken from me was a set of noise-canceling headphones for a newborn. We have a one-month-old baby girl; she needed those."
With the suspect in custody, Coral Gables police have announced increased patrols to prevent future package thefts. Residents like Catania expressed approval of the police’s efforts, stating, "To see them catching people that are actually stealing things essentially red-handed is great," CBS News reports.
