Man arrested for skiff theft

A 61-year-old Key Largo man was arrested Tuesday afternoon for stealing a 15-foot boat from an Upper Keys dock in February.

Juan Baez was charged with grand theft.

Deputy Gil Gonzalez met with the victim on Feb. 11 who told Deputy Gonzalez his Carolina Skiff that was docked near East Second Street was missing. A friend of the victim stated he last saw the skiff being driven by a man named Juan, who Deputy Gonzalez identified as Juan Baez from his address and previous contacts with law enforcement.

Deputy Gonzalez went to Baez’s address where Baez admitted he used the skiff without permission, but that he only used it for 20 minutes and returned it. Another witness, however, said he saw Baez driving the boat on two separate occasions. The investigation continued and warrants were issued for Baez’s arrest.

He was booked into the Monroe County Detention Center on Plantation Key on Tuesday with a $15,000 bail.

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