Alcohol thief arrested

One of two suspects who stole expensive bottles of wine and champagne from Publix® locations in Key West, Marathon, Islamorada and Key Largo was arrested Monday.

Hector Jimenez-Cerbat, 52, of Hollywood, Florida, was charged with four counts of larceny.

Another suspect in the case remains under investigation.

Jimenez-Cerbat turned himself in after warrants were filed for his arrest recently.

Both suspects have a history of theft convictions in Broward, Martin and Miami-Dade counties.

The incidents were first reported on August 22 when an Islamorada Publix manager reported more than $400 in expensive wines and champagne, including Dom Perignon®, had been stolen.

Soon thereafter the Sheriff’s Office was receiving reports of similar cases at every Publix in the Florida Keys.

Detective Ben Elmore and other Detectives and Deputies soon built a case using store security footage to identify the dark sport utility vehicle used in the thefts. They received quality video of the vehicle and the suspects from all the thefts. They identified the suspects using plate information on the SUV and help from other law enforcement partners in other counties who have arrested both men previously for similar crimes.

The investigation remains ongoing.