HAINES CITY, Fla. – In a significant step toward combating property crime, the Haines City Police Department (HCPD), in collaboration with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO), has captured 4 illegal aliens linked to a burglary spree in a local subdivision within Haines City. The arrests of Gabriel Acosta, Saul Contreras, Wandry Alcantara, and David Herrera highlight the effectiveness of joint law enforcement efforts in protecting community safety.
The incident began after a security guard noticed suspicious activity involving the theft of household appliances from new construction homes and notified law enforcement. A key moment occurred when officers tracked down and intercepted a vehicle believed to be used by the suspects. Despite attempts to evade capture, the vehicle crashed during a pursuit, leading to the suspects fleeing on foot.
Investigations at the crash site revealed a trove of stolen appliances within the vehicle, directly linking the individuals to the burglaries. The swift action by the HCPD and the PCSO in identifying and arresting Acosta, Contreras, Alcantara, and Herrera shows their commitment to community safety.
Haines City Chief of Police Greg Goreck, expressed great satisfaction with the outcome, emphasizing the dedication of the officers and deputies, as well as the importance of interagency cooperation. “The arrest of these individuals sends a clear message about our relentless pursuit of justice and our zero-tolerance stance on criminal activities that threaten our community’s peace and security,” Goreck said.
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd had this to say about the incident, “I applaud the great work of the Haines City Police officers and Polk County Sheriff’s deputies in holding these thieves accountable. These arrests are an excellent example of our ongoing partnership with the Haines City Police Department. The criminals never had a chance against the combined resources of our men and women working the streets to protect our communities, families, and businesses.”
The HCPD has charged these 4 individuals with (6) counts of burglary, felony of the second degree per FS 810.02(3)(B) as they are alleged to have stolen goods from 6 different locations.
Additionally, the PCSO charged the individuals with the following:
- Fleeing to Elude
- Resisting without Violence
- Stolen Motor Vehicle
- Leaving the Scene of a Crash
- Trespassing
The department would like to thank the community for their vigilance and encourages ongoing alertness. This investigation underscores the importance of collaboration between the community and law enforcement in maintaining neighborhood safety. The department remains committed to following up on all leads to ensure justice and prevent future criminal activities.
If you or anyone you know has seen this vehicle at other construction sites, or has information about the suspects’ involvement in criminal activities, contact the Haines City Police Department at (863) 421-3636. For those wishing to provide information anonymously, contact Heartland Crime Stoppers at (888) 400-8477.
