Culpeper police charge Florida men for commercial burglary

The Culpeper Police Department charged two Florida men with multiple felonies following a commercial burglary on March 24, according to a press release from the department.

Ramon Izquierdo, 57, of Hialeah, Florida and Alberto Rico Perez, 31, of Miami Gardens, Florida were charged with felony burglary, felony conspiracy to commit burglary and two counts of felony grand larceny.

On March 24, at approximately 12:04 p.m., the Culpeper County E-911 Center received a report of a commercial burglary at Merchants Grocery Company in the 800-block of Maddox Drive.

The caller was identified as an employee of the business. Culpeper Police Department officers responded to the scene and confirmed that the suspects had already fled the area.

Detectives responded to the scene to conduct their investigation. It was determined that five suspects forced entry into the business at around 9 p.m. on March 23.

Once inside, the group stole an undisclosed number of cigarette cartons. Using a box truck stolen from Merchants, the group fled the area. The stolen vehicle is a white 2019 International 4300 Penske rental truck displaying Virginia license plate RA44708. The truck was last seen in the Town of Culpeper limits eastbound on Route 3/Germanna Hwy at around 2 a.m.

This investigation was assisted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) along with numerous law enforcement agencies in New Jersey, New York, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina and Florida. These partnerships also led to the recovery of the vehicle stolen during the initial incident.

On May 3, the City of Doral Police Department, with the assistance of the Miami Dade County Fugitive Task Force Warrant Division, took Izquierdo and Rico Perez into custody. Both subjects are being held without bond at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center and will be extradited back to Virginia to stand trial.

“The actions these criminals took in our Town had a significant impact on the local business community,” said Chief Chris Settle. “Utilizing emerging technology and dogged investigative determination, our detectives and analyst worked tirelessly with law enforcement agencies and federal partners along the entire East Coast."

"Technology has become an integral part of modern policing, but it’s the men and women behind the technology that truly make it effective. Thank you to our partner agencies for their on-going assistance and cooperation.”

Detectives continue to investigate additional evidence and persons of interest. As the investigation unfolds, additional charges may be filed.

Anyone with information is asked to contact MPO Det. M. Hays at 540-829-5508 or email tips@culpeperva.gov. Callers who wish to remain anonymous can submit tips by calling Culpeper Crime Solvers at 540-727-0300 or submit tips at culpeperpd.org.