Stolen Boat Ring Busted In Miami-Dade County

MIAMI, FL — Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle announced charges against a father and son who allegedly operated a boat theft ring around the Miami area.

"The charges they face could potentially lead to a sentence of 30 years in prison if convicted," according to a spokesperson for the state attorney's office.

William Baez-Cartalla and his 22-year-old son, William Baez-Valdes, were both charged with racketeering, conspiring to racketeer and other offenses.

Court documents said the father and son allegedly scouted locations to steal Ford pickup trucks for use in the boat thefts.

"They then solicit various young men to drive a boat to a location and will pay these individuals in cash for their participation," said court documents. "William Baez-Cartalla and William Baez-Valdes will pick up the males that they recruit in one of their personal vehicles. They then drop the males off at a location where a pickup truck .... is parked and advise the males to follow them to a residence."

Court documents said William Baez-Cartalla used a blow torch to break locks on gates and boat trailers to steal boats.

"Once at the destination, William Baez-Cartalla will strip the stolen boat of valuable outboard motors and electronic components," the court documents explained.

Court documents said William Baez-Cartalla "has been known to post" bail for some of his men who were stopped by police "perhaps in an effort to ensure that they will not speak to law enforcement regarding his participation."

Fernandez Rundle also announced charges against five associates who are accused of being part of the boat theft ring.

The charges were announced at a Tuesday afternoon news conference which also included Miami-Dade Police Director Juan Perez.

Also charged were Christian Martinez-Amor, Roberto Torres, Alejandro Saez-Garrido, Luis Sanchez Rodriguez and Yerandy Machado.