Miami-Dade Cop Accused Of 'Brokering' Stolen Pickup Trucks

MIAMI, FL — A six-year veteran Miami-Dade police officer has been accused of brokering the sale of two stolen Ford F-250 pickup trucks and showing up in his uniform and police car to collect the payment. Officer Orestes Santiago Verdura was arrested along with another man, identified as an associate, according to the Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office.

The stolen trucks were allegedly "sold or brokered" by Verdura while he was assigned to uniform patrol duty in Miami Lakes. The other man was identified as 38-year-old Ariel Sanchez. His role was to allegedly deliver the stolen vehicles.

“Officer Verdura betrayed everything and everyone he pledged to honor when he began engaging in his alleged criminal activities,” said Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle in announcing the arrest on Monday. “I am proud of the swift action taken by the Miami-Dade Police Department to end Verdura’s fraudulent activities and bring him and his associate to justice.”

Both men were charged with conspiracy to commit organized scheme to defraud, organized scheme to defraud and two counts of dealing in stolen property. The bond was set at $110,000 for each man.

“Today’s arrest although extremely disappointing, in no way represents the hard work and dedication of the men and women of our department who serve their community with distinction each day,” explained Miami-Dade Police Deputy Director Alfredo “Freddy” Ramirez.

Verdura was taken into custody after the sale of the second vehicle, which was paid for with Miami-Dade funds.

"The arrest resulted from information provided by a confidential informant who alleged that Officer Verdura was engaged in acts that involved dealing in stolen property, specifically stolen vehicles," prosecutors explained. "Initially, the discussions involved stealing and selling a Lamborghini from an acquaintance they both knew. However, that plan fell through with no action undertaken."

Later conversations between Verdura and the informant resulted in Verdura brokering two separate sales of Ford F-250 pickup trucks reported stolen in Palm Beach County, prosecutors added.

The investigation was conducted by the Miami-Dade Police Department Professional Compliance Bureau, the Public Corruption Division of the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

Verdura was suspended by the agency from his position as a uniform patrol officer assigned to Miami Lakes.

In both instances, payment was made in official Miami-Dade County funds to Verdura, who collected the payment while on duty, dressed in his police uniform, and driving a marked MDPD police vehicle. Verdura was taken into custody immediately after the sale of the second vehicle., prosecutors said.