Five alleged members of the violent Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua have been arrested in Central Florida, facing a slew of criminal charges related to an organized retail theft ring that targeted major stores including Publix, Walmart, and Sam’s Club. All five suspects are reportedly in the United States illegally.
The individuals arrested—Alexis Jose Rodriguez-Benavides, Darwins Smith Vasquez-Leon, Ildemaro Miguel Escalona Mendoza, Ramon Jesus Carpintero-Luna, and Samuel Oglis David Anthony Charlie—are now facing racketeering charges, in addition to theft and robbery counts stemming from at least 32 incidents in Polk County alone.
The investigation began last October after a surge in high-end liquor thefts across Central Florida. Authorities say the suspects operated as a coordinated crew, swiping thousands of dollars’ worth of merchandise from shelves and fleeing scenes before law enforcement could respond. A major break in the case occurred at a Sam’s Club in Lakeland when the group attempted to steal $3,200 worth of liquor. A female employee was injured during the chaos while trying to stop the theft.
In their panicked getaway, the suspects crashed their vehicle in the parking lot and fled in a rideshare. Deputies recovered a trove of evidence from the abandoned vehicle, including stolen alcohol, multiple cell phones, and a passport.
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd minced no words during a press briefing. “This violent gang was alive and well in Central Florida,” he said. “These are people in our country illegally, and they’re not here to work. They’re here to torment, terrorize, steal, rob, and in some cases, murder.”
The Tren de Aragua gang, formed in Venezuelan prisons, is infamous for its expansion across the Americas. It has been linked to brutal crimes ranging from drug trafficking and extortion to kidnapping, sex trafficking, and murder. Law enforcement sources say its infiltration into the United States is part of a broader effort to exploit lax border enforcement and sanctuary policies in certain regions.
The arrests are part of a broader crackdown on transnational gangs operating inside the U.S. under the radar, often with members who crossed the border illegally. Officials say more arrests are expected as federal and local agencies continue investigating the group’s activities in Florida and beyond.
While some lawmakers push for more leniency in immigration policy, Sheriff Judd had a stern reminder: “This is what happens when we don’t control our borders. These criminals don’t just sneak in—they set up shop and prey on our communities.”
The Trump administration has vowed to expand efforts to dismantle foreign criminal networks operating on U.S. soil, with renewed calls to toughen border security, enhance deportation protocols, and prosecute gang-affiliated illegal aliens to the fullest extent of the law.