A massive retail theft ring that systematically targeted hardware stores across 13 Florida counties has been dismantled following a sweeping investigation by local and state authorities.
Three men—Johnny Batista, 19, Roberto Hernandez-Castro, 39, and Roberto Aldana Ferrera, 31—now face dozens of serious felony charges for orchestrating what investigators describe as a highly coordinated “smash-and-grab” burglary operation.
According to officials, the crew hit numerous local hardware stores and small businesses, including Ferguson Waterworks, Grainger, Electric City, and Sewell’s Hardware. The group’s strategy was straightforward but destructive: they forced their way into stores, rapidly loaded high-end power tools into large bins, and fled without paying.
The stolen merchandise was then driven south to Miami-Dade County, where it was quickly sold off. The crime spree stretched across a massive geographic footprint, hitting businesses in Martin, Palm Beach, Broward, Miami-Dade, Orange, Polk, Brevard, Seminole, St. Lucie, Indian River, Duval, Sarasota, and Pinellas counties. Authorities state the raids caused thousands of dollars in property damage and hundreds of thousands of dollars in inventory losses for the targeted businesses.
“This group of criminals carefully orchestrated thefts across at least thirteen counties to turn over illicit proceeds as quickly as possible,” Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier said. “In Florida, our Organized Retail Theft Task Force will dismantle theft rings, keep retail costs low for consumers, and protect hard-working Floridians.”
The break in the case came when local detectives realized a single burglary was part of a much larger network.
“Thanks to the relentless work of our detectives, what began as a local hardware store burglary investigation quickly uncovered a much larger criminal operation tied to more than 30 cases across the State of Florida,” Martin County Sheriff John Budensiek said. “This case is a testament to the dedication, experience, and investigative skill our detectives and statewide prosecutors bring to every case they face.”
The state has handed down a massive list of charges against the trio. The counts include racketeering, conspiracy to commit racketeering, 15 counts of possessing burglary tools, multiple counts of grand theft, and more than a dozen combined counts of burglary and attempted burglary.
The three defendants are currently in very different legal situations as the case moves forward. Batista is booked into the Palm Beach County Jail. Ferrera is currently locked up on separate local charges in Georgia and will face extradition to Florida once his legal issues there are sorted out. Hernandez-Castro managed to evade police and remains at large with an active warrant out for his arrest.
The joint investigation was spearheaded by the Martin County Sheriff’s Office and the Office of Statewide Prosecution. Senior Assistant Statewide Prosecutor Chris Olowin will handle the prosecution in Florida’s Nineteenth Judicial Circuit.
Because of the racketeering and conspiracy charges tied to the organized nature of the crimes, all three men face a maximum penalty of life in prison if convicted on the current slate of charges.
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