Duo arrested after 15 stolen forks from business near Doral, police say

MIAMI-DADE AREA, Fla. – Two Broward men face felony charges in another state south of Miami-Dade after Miami-Dade police said they were responsible for stealing more than a dozen forklifts. two at a business near Doral.

Authorities arrested Eddie Jean-Baptiste, 20, of Plantation, and Elijah Torrealba, 19, of Coconut Creek, on Monday.

According to arrest reports from the Miami-Dade Police Department, the investigation began Sunday after a maintenance worker at Forklift Parts & Equipment, located east of the Palmetto Expressway at 7695 NW 63rd St., notice that the main gates were forced open.

Police said surveillance footage showed two men lifting the gate and using an electric saw to break the lock. The suspects were later seen removing forks from the business.

Arrest records show surveillance footage showed at least five men involved and identified two vehicles as part of the robbery: a black Range Rover and a dark-colored BMW.

Authorities say the suspects made off with 15 forks worth about $500,000.

Reports state that while the owner of the business was checking the area, the Range Rover stopped and employees were able to take its license. Police said the SUV was later found abandoned at Advance Auto Parts at 9575 NW Seventh Ave in the unincorporated area of ​​Pinewood.

Authorities say the victim and police found some of the forks from Northwest 74th Avenue in Medley and while they were at the scene, Jean-Baptiste and Torrealba stopped in the BMW.

Reports say that when the couple noticed the presence of the officers, they made a U-turn and sped away.

Police said they followed the two as Torrealba, drove the car, ran a red light and sped off in an attempt to avoid law enforcement.

After reaching the Palmetto Expressway and Gratigny Parkway, speeding and cutting off other drivers, police said Torrealba stopped on Northwest 42nd Avenue and got out of the car; they said Jean-Baptiste stayed inside and refused to come out, later resisting arrest.

Police say they found the key to Yale’s forklift and marijuana on Jean-Baptiste.

Hialeah police later arrested Torrealba at an Exxon gas station at 6305 E. Eighth Ave., reports state.

Police say he resisted arrest, and was later able to drop his hood and escape from the cruiser, leading officers on another foot chase. Authorities say they later arrested him and medics took him to a Hialeah hospital for medical clearance after he complained of shortness of breath.

Authorities say they found a Glock 48 handgun with nine rounds inside the car.

“Additionally, clothing similar to that used in the robbery was in the vehicle and both matched the physical description of the individuals seen taking the forklift from Forklift Parts & Equipment ,” the investigating officer wrote in the reports. “In a clear view, I also found two steering columns that were damaged from two stolen forklifts.”

Police said both men invoked their right to remain silent after being arrested.

Both men face charges of first-degree robbery, burglary, criminal trespass and resisting arrest.

Torrealba faces other charges, including fleeing and eluding and eluding a police officer.

Jean-Baptiste’s other charges include 11 counts of felon in possession of a firearm or ammunition and a misdemeanor count of marijuana.

Jail records show Torrealba’s bond is set at $32,500, held at another facility.

A judge had not set bond for Jean-Baptiste, who has been charged in Broward County with aggravated fleeing and eluding and grand larceny, jail records show. He was out on probation at the time of his arrest.

Both men were being held at Miami-Dade County’s Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center as of Tuesday afternoon.

Local 10 News visited the business Tuesday and saw one of the forklifts found; it had curved mirrors and its lower console was a pride.

Ten of the 15 missing forklifts were found, workers said.

Officials said the suspects’ plan may be to sell them.