Thieves target packages outside Coral Gables homes, police say

2 arrested in multiple thefts Tuesday

CORAL GABLES, Fla. – A man and a woman are behind bars after stealing packages from numerous homes in Coral Gables on Tuesday, police said.

According to police, a sergeant spotted a white Toyota pull into the driveway of a home on South Alhambra Circle near South Dixie Highway at about 2 p.m. The driver, identified as Adalberto Martinez, 20, was pulled over and according to the sergeant, seemed nervous.

Police said a backup officer noticed numerous packages in the backseat with shipping labels attached.

Police said Martinez, and Sharon Baldriche, 18, who was riding in the front passenger seat, claimed the packages belonged to Martinez's cousin, but neither could provide a name or address for any of the packages.

Authorities later determined that the packages belonged to a home on Portillo Street and another on Girasol Avenue.

Among the stolen items inside the packages were a doggie mat, books, a container of tea, and a $127 jacket.

Martinez and Baldriche are both charged with burglary of an unoccupied structure and larceny.

Police urge residents to request a signature upon delivery of packages, or request a time to have packages sent when they or a neighbor can be home at that time.

All the stolen property has been returned to the rightful owners.

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