Connect with us

Miami, FL

Miami store owner’s $1M fake cigar label scheme goes up in smoke, cops say

Published

on

Miami store owner’s M fake cigar label scheme goes up in smoke, cops say


MIAMI – The El Baratón storefront in Miami’s Flagami neighborhood has large signs advertising perfumes, watches, purses, shoes and clothes for sale; its logo features the “shush” emoji.

What’s no longer a secret, police say, is that a lot of the goods sold at El Baratón were stolen from area retailers — and, in the back room, its owner was also involved in a million-dollar scheme to sell counterfeit cigar labels and boxes.

Miami-Dade police arrested Jorge Gomero, 52, on a series of felony charges Monday.

Detective Andre Martin, a Miami-Dade police spokesperson, said in a news release that Gomero was among “a group of individuals who have been stealing ‘over the counter’ health and beauty supplies as well as clothing from major retailers.”

Advertisement

Detectives saw members of the group bringing in “garbage bags full of stolen merchandise” to the business, located at 4746 W. Flagler St., where Gomero would resell the items.

Police said after executing a search warrant, they found more than $28,000 worth of fenced items being sold El Baratón — which roughly translates to “the cheapest” in Spanish — for well under retail.

They then found “4,499 counterfeit cigar boxes and several thousand counterfeit cigar labels,” valued at $1,124,750, Martin said.

Brands included Romeo Y Julieta, H. Upmann, Monte Cristo, Cohiba, Cao, Bolivar, El Rey del Mundo, La Gloria Cubana, Macanudo, Punch, Partagas and Sancho Panza.

Gomero, police said, “was taking orders for these boxes and labels from individuals who then intended on utilizing them to sell counterfeit cigars as authentic products.”

Advertisement

Authorities arrested Gomero on four counts of dealing in stolen property and one count each of third-degree grand theft, selling, purchasing or possessing $20,000 or more in counterfeit labels and forging or counterfeiting private labels.

According to jail records, he was being held in the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center on a $22,500 bond. If he posts bond, he’ll have to prove that the funds came from a legitimate source.

Copyright 2024 by WPLG Local10.com – All rights reserved.



Source link

Advertisement

Miami, FL

Deputies searching for 2 men accused of shooting man during attempted robbery in SW Miami-Dade

Published

on

Deputies searching for 2 men accused of shooting man during attempted robbery in SW Miami-Dade


Two suspects accused in an overnight shooting in Southwest Miami-Dade remain on the loose, deputies said.

According to the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office, the shooting happened on Saturday night in the area of Southwest 143rd Avenue and Southwest 260th Street.

Deputies said that a man was shot as he was trying to get away from two people who tried to rob him.

The man was taken to Baptist Hospital by a friend, but was then airlifted to Jackson South Medical Center in stable condition.

Advertisement

An investigation into the shooting remains active.



Source link

Continue Reading

Miami, FL

Search underway for 89-year-old man reported missing from SW Miami-Dade – WSVN 7News | Miami News, Weather, Sports | Fort Lauderdale

Published

on

Search underway for 89-year-old man reported missing from SW Miami-Dade – WSVN 7News | Miami News, Weather, Sports | Fort Lauderdale


SOUTHWEST MIAMI-DADE, FLA. (WSVN) – Police seek the public’s help in their search for an elderly man who was reported missing from Southwest Miami-Dade.

According to the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office, Fausto De La Fuente was last seen in the 11800 block of Southwest 173rd Street on Saturday afternoon.

De La Fuente stands 5 feet 7 inches tall, weighs 190 pounds, and has brown eyes and brown and gray hair. He was last seen wearing a gray shirt and beige shorts at the time of his disappearance.

Investigators said De La Fuente meets the criteria for a missing endangered adult.

Advertisement

Officials urge anyone with information on his whereabouts to contact Deputy O. Tellez, at 305-715-3300 (Office), 305-715-3252 (Desk), email
u304578@mdso.com or Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS (8477)

Copyright 2026 Sunbeam Television Corp. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Join our Newsletter for the latest news right to your inbox



Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Miami, FL

Live Updates from Florida Gators vs. Miami Hurricanes in Gainesville Regional

Published

on

Live Updates from Florida Gators vs. Miami Hurricanes in Gainesville Regional


GAINESVILLE, Fla.– The Florida Gators, fresh off an 8-7 win over Rider on Friday, host Miami in the winners’ bracket of the Gainesville Region. Winner advances to Sunday with a chance to clinch a Super Regional appearance, while the loser faces Troy in an elimination game beforehand.

Advertisement

Florida Gators on SI is in attendance for Saturday’s game between the Gators and the Hurricanes. Here are live updates from Condron Ballpark. First pitch is set for 8:30 p.m., with television coverage on ACC Network.

Lineups

Advertisement

Florida

  1. CF Kyle Jones
  2. SS Brendan Lawson
  3. LF Blake Cyr
  4. 3B Ethan Surowiec
  5. DH Caden McDonald
  6. C Karson Bowen
  7. 1B Landon Stripling
  8. 2B Cade Kurland
  9. RF Hayden Yost

  • P Aidan King (8-2, 2.68 ERA)

Miami

  1. 2B Jake Ogden
  2. LF Max Galvin
  3. RF Derek Williams
  4. 1B Alex Sosa
  5. C Alonzo Alvarez
  6. DH Dylan Dubovik
  7. 3B Gabirel Milano
  8. SS Vance Sheahan
  9. CF Fabio Peralta

  • P AJ Ciscar (5-4, 4.44 ERA)

First Inning

T1: Miami Batting

  • Jake Ogden hits a leadoff home run off of Aidan King. Miami 1, Florida 0.
  • Max Galvin hits a double to left field, called safe at second. Ruled safe after Florida challenged.
  • Derek Williams hit by a pitch. Miami’s first three runners have all reached base. Kevin O’Sullivan out for a mound visit with King.
  • Alex Sosa pops out to third. 1 Out.
  • Alonzo Alvarez grounds into a 6-4-3 double play. End of frame.

Miami 1, Florida 0

B1: Florida Batting

  • Kyle Jones hit by a pitch.
  • Brendan Lawson records a base hit. Jones advances to third.
  • Blake Cyr reaches second on a throwing error at first (E6), Jones scores, Lawson to third. Florida 1, Miami 1
  • Ethan Surowic sac-fly to LF, Lawson scores. 1 out. Florida 2, Miami 1
  • Caden McDonald base hit, Cyr to third.
  • Karson Bowen infield single, Cyr scores, McDonald to second. Florida 3, Miami 1
  • Landon Stripling flies out to LF. 2 outs.
  • Cade Kurland 3-run home run, McDonald scores, Bowen scores. Florida 6, Miami 1

Advertisement

Florida , Miami 1

Sign up for our free Florida Gators newsletter and follow us on Facebook and for the latest news!

Advertisement
Add us as a preferred source on Google



Source link

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Trending