Florida is currently the site of an ongoing investigation following an audacious theft. Using large tractor trailers, burglars pilfered more than $1.6 million worth of alcohol from a prominent distribution company. Renowned for its distribution of eminent brands such as Jose Cuervo and Malibu, the company in question fell victim to this remarkably planned heist.
Beginning in the wee hours of July 8, the Republic National Distributing Company, nested in Hillsborough County to the south of Tampa, was targeted. This unfolding development comes in the wake of a freshly unsealed search warrant which was divulged to the public on October 5.
The criminals operated between 4:10 a.m. and 9:45 a.m., adroitly displacing a total of 4,277 cases of liquor. Republic National Distributing Company is also a provider for other noted alcohol brands such as Franzia Wines and Sutter Home Winery. According to the details of the search warrant, said warrant was procured for an Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max, believed by authorities to possibly contain pertinent data relating to the theft.
The implied suspects, regrettably unidentified at this time, had the foresight to abscond with the digital video recorders which served as the alcohol distributor’s surveillance system.
Taking its seat proudly in Gibsonton, Florida, the RNDC stands as one of the country’s most substantial wine and spirit distributors. The company boasts a formidable presence, with a workforce of 14,000 across 38 states and the nation’s capital, Washington, D.C.
The vice president of corporate communications for RNDC, Kanchan Kinkade, voiced her faith in law enforcement, “While it is inappropriate to comment on an active investigation, we maintain confidence in the ability of our law enforcement to handle this matter with the necessary diligence to apprehend the culprits responsible.”
Piecing together the puzzle with snippets of surveillance footage from a nearby business and a convenience store, Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office deputies succeeded in identifying the tractor trailers used in the robbery. Further video evidence, sourced from a tractor trailer storage facility, revealed the three vehicles used to transport the ill-gotten liquor.
As of the present time, there has been no further comment from the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office.
