HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. – Four people have been arrested following a monthslong investigation into an organized retail theft ring operating across the greater Tampa Bay area, according to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office.
Between June 1 and July 1, 2026, the sheriff’s Organized Retail Theft Unit tracked a group suspected of stealing merchandise from multiple regional retailers. Investigators said the suspects routinely hid store items, walked out without paying, and transported the goods to a local home to be resold.
Detectives eventually secured arrest warrants for three individuals accused of executing the store thefts: Adonys Diaz Suarez, 37; Ariel Serrano Suarez, 40; and Diosvelys Morales Torres, 34. Each faces charges of conspiracy to engage in racketeering, organized retail theft, and six counts of dealing in stolen property.
As the probe continued, authorities traced the stolen goods to a residence in the 6900 block of North Thatcher Avenue. Detectives identified Armando Quintana, 49, as the person allegedly buying the stolen merchandise from the thieves and reselling it both online and directly to buyers.
Deputies arrested Quintana at the Thatcher Avenue property on the morning of July 9, 2026, while executing a court-authorized search warrant. Inside the home, investigators recovered nearly $300,000 in stolen property, including liquor taken from Sam’s Club and Walmart, apparel from Lululemon and Victoria’s Secret, and designer fragrances from various retailers.
Along with the merchandise, search teams seized roughly 60 grams of cocaine, 39 grams of methamphetamine, a handgun, a rifle, and more than $3,500 in cash.
Quintana was charged with trafficking in methamphetamine, trafficking in cocaine, conspiracy to engage in racketeering, six counts of dealing in stolen property, and possession of a controlled substance.
The Sheriff’s Office collaborated with the Office of the Statewide Prosecutor to review the evidence and file formal charges, including the racketeering conspiracy counts.
“This case is a prime example of the sophisticated criminal enterprises our detectives are dismantling every day,” Sheriff Chad Chronister said. “Organized retail theft drives up costs for businesses and consumers while fueling other criminal activity in our community. Thanks to the relentless work of our Organized Retail Theft Unit and our partnerships with retailers, we’ve shut down a major fencing operation, recovered thousands of dollars in stolen merchandise, and taken dangerous drugs and firearms off our streets.”
Attorney General James Uthmeier also commented on the operation’s outcome.
“Organized retail theft is a sophisticated criminal scheme that targets Florida retailers across multiple counties and drives up costs for consumers,” Uthmeier said. “I commend the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office and our Office of Statewide Prosecution for dismantling this multi-county operation and recovering nearly $300,000 in stolen merchandise. These defendants face serious charges, and my office will prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law.”
Sheriff’s officials noted that the investigation remains active.
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