Tamarac Detectives Break Up Stolen Goods Racket

by Kevin Deutsch August 12, 2021

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Tamarac Detectives Break Up Stolen Goods Racket

Luiz Rodrigues

By Kevin Deutsch

A hot tip to Broward Sheriff’s Office Tamarac District detectives led to “cold justice” for a man suspected of selling stolen high-end appliances online.

Detectives launched Operation Cold Justice, an undercover operation, in late July. Their target: Luiz Rodrigues, 41, who took detectives inside several storage units in Pompano Beach, showing them stolen items he had posted for sale online.

The black market merchandise included pricey sub-zero refrigerators, cooktops, ovens, microwaves, and coffeemakers, according to BSO. The total retail value of the items in the storage units was more than $56,000.

According to an arrest affidavit, on Aug. 4, Rodrigues agreed to sell several stolen items to an undercover deputy for $18,500 in cash. Among the goods included in the deal were two stolen refrigerators.

Some of the stolen goods were recovered by BSO during their undercover operation. Credit: BSO

After the bust, detectives recovered a dozen stolen appliances; all reported stolen from Ferguson Enterprises in Tamarac, deputies said. Investigators also seized more than $10,000 in cash.

Rodrigues, of Deerfield Beach, was arrested on August 4 and charged with two counts of dealing in stolen property. He has pleaded not guilty. Records show Rodrigues was released from the Broward Main Jail on a $7,500 bond.

The investigation into the thefts from Ferguson Enterprises is ongoing, deputies said.

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Author Profile

Kevin Deutsch

Kevin Deutsch is an award-winning journalist and author of two nonfiction books. He covers general assignment news and Jewish community issues for Talk Media. He has also worked as a staff writer at The Miami Times, the Rio Grande SUN, the New York Daily News, Newsday, The Miami Herald, The Palm Beach Post, The Riverdale Press, and Bronx Justice News.