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Florida Authorities Arrest Five Suspected Venezuelan Gang Members in Retail Theft Ring

The suspects, tied to the Tren de Aragua gang, face organized retail theft and robbery charges, with enhanced penalties and deportation proceedings pending.

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(Left to right) Alexis Rodriguez-Benavides, Samuel Anthony-Charle, Darwins Vasquez-Leon, Iledemaro Escalona-Mendoza and Ramon Carpintero-Luna face charges for a string of robberies across eight counties, the Polk County Sheriff's Office announced Friday, April 18, 2025. Rodriguez-Benavides and Anthony-Charle are further alleged to be members of Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, while the others are said to be associates. (Osceola County Corrections Department)
Alleged Tren de Aragua gang member sobs while in police custody.

Overview

  • Five Venezuelan nationals, including two documented Tren de Aragua members, were arrested in Central Florida for a string of high-end liquor thefts across eight counties.
  • The suspects are accused of stealing over $30,000 in merchandise, with a key Sam's Club heist in March leading to their identification and arrests.
  • All five men entered the U.S. illegally and are being held in Osceola and Polk County jails under ICE detainers, with Department of Homeland Security involvement.
  • Authorities are pursuing enhanced racketeering charges and long prison sentences before deportation for the suspects, citing their gang affiliations.
  • The arrests highlight concerns over transnational gang activity and the intersection of immigration enforcement and criminal prosecution strategies.