A Miami man accused of cruising up to the Treasure Coast to strip pricey navigation gear from local boats is now in custody, according to Martin County deputies.
The Martin County Sheriff's Office says 29-year-old Robert Esposito of Miami was arrested Thursday after what investigators described as a month-long probe into a string of vessel burglaries. Detectives allege Esposito targeted boats across Martin County throughout July, ripping high-end marine electronics from consoles and making off with an estimated $60,000 worth of Garmin GPS units from multiple victims. Deputies say the case fits a growing pattern of "travel crews" hitting marinas and storage yards up and down the Treasure Coast.
In a statement, the sheriff's office said detectives linked Esposito to numerous incidents during the investigation, as reported by CBS12. Deputies have not released detailed charging documents and have not said whether any of the stolen units have been recovered.
How Investigators Tracked The Thefts
Law enforcement agencies along the Treasure Coast have been zeroing in on groups that hop from county to county, targeting unattended boats for their navigation systems. In a previous joint operation, several Garmin plotters were recovered after detectives followed suspects into St. Lucie County, according to WPBF. That case underscored how the alleged theft crews do not seem particularly loyal to county lines.
What Boat Owners Are Being Urged To Do
Deputies and local reporters are urging boat owners to get proactive about protecting their gear. Owners should document serial numbers, snap photos of their equipment and consider alarms or cameras for vessels kept in storage, according to reporting by WPTV. Chief Deputy John Budensiek told reporters that investigators believe the crews are "traveling and not local" and reminded owners to remove valuables whenever a boat is not in use.
The sheriff's office says the investigation is still active and is asking anyone with information about the July burglaries to contact its tip line. Additional details about Esposito's arrest were reported by CBS12. Detectives have not said whether they expect to make more arrests as the probe continues.
