A Florida driver who said he entered an avocado grove to fix his van’s lights was arrested after deputies found bags of fruit inside the vehicle and a grower estimated that about $1,000 worth of avocados had been taken.
Francisco Edilbert Carrillo, 38, of Homestead, was arrested in southwest Miami-Dade early on October 12, 2026. The grower put the amount at approximately 750 pounds, while deputies accused Carrillo of third-degree grand theft and trespassing on horticultural property.
The allegations concern produce taken directly from commercial growing land, rather than merchandise stolen from a store. Florida law treats the estimated value of the fruit and the posting of protected horticultural property as separate considerations in the felony charges.
Newly obtained court records confirm the two felony allegations and a $5,000 bond. Carrillo’s public defender filed a written plea of not guilty on October 14, and the charges have not resulted in a criminal conviction.
Deputy Stops White Van Leaving Dunagan Grove Before Dawn
At approximately 3:30 a.m., Deputy J. Suarez received a call on the sheriff’s agricultural patrol phone about a suspicious van leaving Dunagan Grove. The vehicle was reportedly traveling without its lights on, according to the deputy’s sworn arrest account.
Suarez located the van and conducted a traffic stop along Southwest 232nd Street. While approaching, he saw two large black bags containing avocados on the passenger seat. Carrillo told the deputy he had gone into the grove because he was trying to repair the vehicle’s lights and said the avocados were from the previous night, rather than that morning. NBC 6 also reported the explanation from the arrest records.
Grove Owner Estimated 750 Pounds of Avocados Worth $1,000
The arrest affidavit excerpt says an investigator came to the scene and the property’s owner reported that Carrillo was in possession of approximately 750 pounds of avocados, equivalent to one full produce bin. The owner valued the fruit at about $1,000, an estimate later reflected in the charges.
The affidavit describes the two bags seen by the deputy and the grower’s larger weight estimate separately. Investigators attributed the fruit to Dunagan Grove and alleged Carrillo had taken it without permission. The sworn account also states that signs prohibiting trespassing were posted on the property.
Why Both Allegations Are Third-Degree Felonies
Florida’s grand theft law generally treats stolen property valued at $750 or more but less than $5,000 as third-degree grand theft. The grower’s estimated $1,000 loss falls within that range if the allegation is proved.
Florida Statute Section 810.09(2)(d) makes trespassing on legally posted commercial horticultural property a third-degree felony. The arrest affidavit describes the charge as trespassing on horticultural property but cites subsection (2)(e), which addresses agricultural sites used for testing or research. The affidavit also reports posted no-trespassing signs without specifying their wording. Third-degree felonies in Florida ordinarily carry a maximum prison term of five years upon conviction.
Carrillo Files Not-Guilty Plea as Bond Is Set at $5,000
Miami-Dade Circuit Court records identify case F26020365, assigned to Judge Tanya Brinkley. On October 14, the Public Defender’s Office filed a written plea of not guilty, waived arraignment and demanded a jury trial on Carrillo’s behalf.
The Miami-Dade Corrections booking record confirms Carrillo’s October 12 arrest and lists a $5,000 standard bond, with $2,500 allocated to each charge. The October 15 inmate-search printout placed him at Metro West Detention Center. Those records do not establish whether the bond was posted after the search was printed.
Miami-Dade Deputies Have Targeted Produce Theft Across the Region
The sheriff’s Agricultural Patrol Section investigates crimes affecting farms, groves and nurseries. In a department report published earlier in 2026, the agency said targeted enforcement had helped reduce produce theft and some other agricultural crimes by roughly half since 2023. Deputies also described separate cases in which stolen crops ended up at roadside stands or outdoor markets.
Another avocado investigation in August involved 142 avocados valued at approximately $852 at a Brooks Tropical property, according to Local 10. A different person was arrested in that case, which authorities have not connected to the allegations against Carrillo.
What Growers Can Do to Report Suspected Crop Theft
The Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office encourages growers to report missing harvest inventory, damaged fences, cut locks and suspicious vehicles. Helpful details include the exact location, approximate time, vehicle description and license plate number, along with footage or records that can document any missing produce.
The Agricultural Patrol Section can be reached at 786-218-8344. The sheriff’s guidance also recommends secured gates, adequate lighting and cameras positioned to record access points. People witnessing a suspected theft should report it rather than confront the person involved.