MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. — A Hialeah man was arrested Monday after deputies said they caught him stealing more than 140 avocados from a southwest Miami-Dade grove over the weekend.
According to an arrest report, a Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office deputy was conducting checks at an avocado grove operated by Brooks Tropical, located at 15101 SW 200th St., late Sunday night as part of Operation Safe Summer 2026.
The deputy said he spotted a white pickup truck parked at the end of the grove’s driveway and stopped to investigate.
According to the report, the deputy encountered the suspect, Duniel Areces-Gonzalez, 37, and determined he was the registered owner of the pickup.
Investigators said 17 avocados were found in the bed of the truck, while four black construction trash bags filled with avocados were discovered alongside it.
A search of the grove turned up another two black bags filled with avocados, according to the report.
Authorities said a total of 142 avocados, valued at approximately $852, had been taken.
Deputies said Areces-Gonzalez was transported to the Agricultural Patrol Section office, where an investigator attempted to interview him.
When asked whether he wanted to speak with the investigator, Areces-Gonzalez responded, “Why do I need to speak to you? I was caught stealing avocados,” the arrest report stated.
Investigators said he then declined to answer additional questions about the incident.
Areces-Gonzalez was arrested on charges of grand theft and trespassing.
As of Monday afternoon, he was being held at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center on a $3,000 bond.
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