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Hillsborough Deputies Recover Half Million Dollars Worth of Stolen Tequila

HIllsborough Sheriff | Crime | Arrests

Four men were caught red handed, Hillsborough deputies said.

THONOTOSASSA – Deputies recovered more than half a million dollars of Patron Tequila on Sunday (Dec. 30) night when they caught four thieves red handed trying to get away with the merchandise in the Thonotosassa area, the Hillsborough Sheriff’s Office said.

Vidal Estrada, 66, of Ft Lauderdale. was charged with one count each of Resisting Officer without Violence, Grand Theft $100,000 or more, and Burglary of an Unoccupied Conveyance.

Lemuel Escobar, 35, of Clermont, was charged with one count each of Grand Theft, Resisting Officer without Violence, and Burglary of an Unoccupied Conveyance.

Humberto Ramirez, 37, of Mascot, was charged with one count each of Resisting Officer without Violence, Grand Theft $100,000 or more, and  Burglary of an Unoccupied Conveyance.

Alberto Obaya, 46, of Plant City, was charged with one count each of Resisting Officer without Violence, Possession of Controlled Substance, Grand Theft $100,000 or more, and Burglary of an Unoccupied Conveyance.

Around 11 p.m. a truck driver hauling the load of tequila was stopped for dinner at the Tampa Truck Stop, 6503 N US 301, when he noticed his trailer was no longer attached. Deputies searched and, about 12:30 a.m., found the semi-trailer near the intersection of Ike Smith Road and McIntosh Road.

Deputies said they saw Estrada, Escobar, Ramirez and Obaya transferring cases of Patron Tequila to another box truck that was registered to them. Before the deputies moved in, the men had transferred more than 20 cases from the fully loaded 53-foot trailer.

Vidal, Ramirez and Obaya were arrested without issue at the scene. Deputies said Escobar tried to flee but was found and arrested nearby at 13910 McIntosh Road.

There were about 966 cases of the tequila with a retail value of about $507,105.

Photo shows, from left, Alberto Obaya, Vidal Estrada, Lemuel Escobar, Humberto Ramirez.

Hillsborough Sheriff | Crime | Patron Tequila | Arrests | Tampabay News

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