Thursday, October 1, 2015

Heater Theft Lands Estates Man In Hot Water


A Golden Gate Estates man was arrested Wednesday after deputies say he stole water heaters and other plumbing supplies from his former employer and then sold them to an undercover officer.

Jorge Ramirez, 28, 5845 Everglades Blvd. N., faces felony charges of dealing in stolen property and grand theft.

According to arrest reports, Ramirez quit working for South Florida Plumbing, 299 Airport-Pulling Road N., in July. Shortly after Ramirez’s departure company officials learned that Ramirez had been stealing material, faucets and fixtures, but they had no proof linking him to the thefts.

On Sept. 10, an undercover deputy negotiated with Ramirez to purchase two water heaters and two faucets. Later that evening the deputy met with Ramirez at his residence and paid $600 cash for two water heaters that were new in boxes and two faucets that appeared used and not in boxes.

Company officials confirmed that the water heaters were stolen and provided invoices with serial numbers that matched the serial numbers on the items purchased by the undercover deputy.