An investigation into the theft of a vehicle from a local dealership led to the arrest of two men who were allegedly operating a chop shop in Osceola County.
According to the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office, detectives responded to Denes Auto Sales (6153 S Orange Blossom Trail in Kissimmee) on September 9, 2023, in reference to a black 2012 Chrysler 300 that had been stolen from the sales lot.
The stolen Chrysler contained a V8 SRT-styled engine.
OCSO stated that two suspects were captured on video surveillance footage stealing the Chrysler from the dealership. A little over a month later, on October 17, 2023, the stolen vehicle was located in Orange County, though it had been “completely stripped and dismantled.”
A lengthy investigation ensued, and the two suspects in the Chrysler theft were eventually identified as 24-year-old Miguel Antonio Umana, Jr. and 25-year-old Jose Luis Diaz.
After conducting “covert surveillance” on Umana and Diaz, OCSO detectives identified two residences that were associated with the suspects. Search warrants were obtained, and both properties were searched by law enforcement.
During that search, detectives discovered that Umana and Diaz were running an alleged chop shop after “several stolen vehicles” and “numerous car parts belonging to stolen vehicles” were found.
The sheriff’s office stated that the vehicles in question had been stolen in multiple counties, including Orange, Osceola, Broward, Manatee, Palm, and Polk.
On Friday, November 8, 2024, the Attorney General’s Office of Statewide Prosecution formally charged Umana and Diaz with grand theft (greater than $100,000), conspiracy to commit grand theft (greater than $100,000), and operating a chop shop.
Less than a week later, Umana and Diaz were located, arrested, and transported to Osceola County Jail, where they are currently being held on a $100,000 bond.