South Florida man hopes to clear son's name after son found with stolen police vest

Luis Reyes says 16-year-old son only guilty of accepting something from friend

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. ā€“ A South Florida man spoke to Local 10 News on Friday in hopes of clearing his 16-year-old son's name after he was arrested for allegedly keeping a stolen police vest inside his home.

"He didn't steal a car. He didn't steal a vest. He didn't commit any crime of stealing," Giovanny Reyes' father, Luis Reyes, said.

"He didn't steal no car. All he did was make the wrong decision of having accepted something from his friend," he added.

Giovanny Reyes was never arrested before Thursday until a friend from Keys Gate Charter School in Homestead, Emilio Galban, 16, allegedly gave him a Miami-Dade police bulletproof vest to keep.

Police said the vest was in the trunk of a Miami-Dade police officer's car that was stolen by Galban on April 25.

The police cruiser was found the next day ditched in a lake in the area of Southwest 336th Street and SouthwestĀ 192nd Avenue.

"They actually arrested him because he was holding something that belonged to police," Luis Reyes said. "They don't think of the consequences."

Galban has been arrested multiple times and is accused of assaulting family members with a weapon the same day the police car was stolen.

According to an arrest report, Galban confessed to stealing the vehicle and giving the vest to Giovanny.

Giovanny Reyes was arrested on charges of dealing in stolen property and being an accessory to a third-degree felony after the fact.

Galban was arrested on charges of grand theft and grand theft of a vehicle.

"We are working people (who have) never done wrong to anyone," Luis Reyes said. "Many parents don't know where their kids hang out or their friends."

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About the Authors:

Glenna Milberg joined Local 10 News in September 1999 to report on South Florida's top stories and community issues. She also serves as co-host on Local 10's public affairs broadcast, "This Week in South Florida."

Amanda Batchelor is the Digital Executive Producer for Local10.com.