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Lehigh man accused of stealing cargo van, extorting goods

By Staff | Aug 24, 2016

Julio Hernandez

During the early part of July, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office began an investigation into a stolen load of cargo brought into the area.

The cargo belonged to Amazon.com and value was estimated to be $121,000.

After working with corporate security investigators from JB Hunt Security, detectives determined the load was possibly still in the area.

The suspect attempted to extort additional funds from JB Hunt during the process.

The LCSO conducted an operation on Aug 19 that resulted in the driver of a subcontracted transport company, being taken into custody.

PHOTO SPECIAL TO THE CITIZEN Amazon containers of items stolen with the cargo van, valued at $121,000.

The stolen merchandise, which was compiled of single orders from several thousand Amazon.com customers, was later located at the residence of the suspect after a search warrant was served.

The suspect’s garage was literally stacked floor-to-ceiling with Amazon containers.

Julio Hernandez, 36, of 1216 Albemarle Circle, was arrested and charged with one count of cargo theft and one count of extortion.

Source: Lee County Sheriff’s Office

PHOTO SPECIAL TO THE CITIZEN Amazon containers of items stolen with the cargo van, valued at $121,000.