A Florida truck driver has been arrested for allegedly agreeing to trade a $300,000 load of vitamins for $10,000 in cash.
Jose Hernandez-Riandes, 54, was arrested on February 17th and charged with grand larceny of over $100,000 for the 2013 cargo theft incident.
Trucker Reported 16,000 Pounds Of Vitamins Stolen
According to the arrest report from the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, Hernandez-Riandes was working as a truck driver on May 26, 2013, when he reported his load of 16,000 pounds of vitamins stolen.
Authorities recovered the truck and trailer in Hollywood, Florida, later that day, but the vitamins were missing.
Investigators noted that there were several inconsistencies with Hernandez-Riandes’s story.
Driver Says He Made The Deal To Pay For Son’s Medical Bills
Two days after he reported his load stolen, Hernandez-Riandes admitted to authorities that he had arranged to swap the load for $10,000 in cash. He told investigators that he needed the money to pay for his son’s medical bills.
Hernandez-Riandes said that he never received the $10,000.
The arrest report does not say why Hernandez-Riandes was not arrested until last week.
He is being held on $250,000 bond.
Sources:
Local 10
The Palm Beach Post