Miami police say a 50-year-old Hialeah man is behind a run of package thefts at a high-rise Edgewater condo, after detectives followed a trail of surveillance video and fed-up residents’ complaints straight to a white pickup truck. According to investigators, the truck pulled into the building’s loading dock and people were seen hauling away deliveries that had been left by a malfunctioning rear door. Building management told officers the people on camera had zero permission to touch the parcels, adding another aggravation to residents already tired of unsecured deliveries around the city.
According to Local 10, Jose Luis Perez was arrested on April 20 after detectives tied him to thefts at Quantum on the Bay in Edgewater. The arrest report says the thefts took place between Feb. 16 and Feb. 23 at the condominium at 1900 N. Bayshore Drive. Video from Feb. 16 reportedly shows several orange Amazon delivery bags left outside the package room around 5:35 a.m. because the room was already full. Investigators say the overflow packages were placed near a rear loading dock door that was malfunctioning and not properly secured, and multiple residents later reported missing deliveries to the package room supervisor.
Where it happened
Quantum on the Bay is a twin-tower waterfront condominium complex just north of downtown Miami in the Edgewater neighborhood, at 1900 N. Bayshore Drive. Its size and long list of amenities mean the property sees a heavy stream of ecommerce deliveries that can overwhelm the package room when things get busy. Public records and building listings identify the complex at that address, according to Wikipedia.
How police traced the pickup
Detectives reviewed license-plate-reader footage and zeroed in on a white Ford pickup that pulled into the loading-dock area. They learned that the same truck had been stopped by a West Miami officer later that day over a broken taillight. The driver was identified as 35-year-old Vanessa Caridad Rodriguez, with Perez listed as the passenger, police say. Rodriguez was arrested in that traffic stop for driving without a valid license, which investigators noted was her third conviction, and for lacking proof of insurance, and the truck was impounded.
According to the investigation, Perez told detectives that he and Rodriguez went onto the property and removed packages without permission. While Perez was being processed at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center, officers say they found a clear baggie with suspected cocaine in his pocket. Jail records indicate he is facing charges that include burglary of an unoccupied structure, petit theft between $150 and $750, and introduction or possession of a controlled substance. As of Tuesday, he remained at TGK with bond still to be set, according to Local 10.
Security and next steps for residents
Security specialists say buildings can cut down on this kind of theft by fixing malfunctioning doors and other access points, tightening their delivery procedures, and installing secure lockers or controlled drop zones for packages. They also note that quick reporting from residents, backed up by clear video, often gives detectives what they need to track suspects. People who are missing deliveries are encouraged to report the loss to carriers and file police reports so there is a documented record. Local safety guides recommend practical steps such as cameras focused on delivery areas, package lockers, and requiring signatures on certain drop-offs, according to WLRN.
Legal implications
The arrest report and booking set off the standard county intake process, with any formal charges to be pursued by the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office. Turner Guilford Knight serves as the county’s main intake facility, and it offers an online inmate search that lists custody and bond status for people being held there; the tool is available through Miami-Dade Corrections. Investigators are asking anyone with additional information about the thefts to contact Miami police so detectives can follow up.
