Two men were arrested Wednesday as part of a joint operation between the Collier County Sheriff’s Office and Naples Police Department to solve multiple vehicle burglaries.

Detectives said Rodrigo Ome, 54, of Naples, and Raul Pineros, 53, of Hialeah, are suspects in a string of car break-ins in the county and City of Naple in recent weeks. Shoppers who made high-end retail purchases and then left the purchases in their car were targeted, detectives said.

Sheriff Kevin Rambosk praised the collaborative effort between the two law enforcement agencies.

“This was truly a team effort with one goal in mind: keeping our community safe,” Sheriff Rambosk said, adding, “These arrests serve as a strong reminder to our community about the importance of always locking car doors and never leaving valuables unattended inside your vehicle.”

This continues to be an active investigation and more charges could be forthcoming by CCSO and NPD.

On Wednesday afternoon, detectives observed Ome and Pineros walking around the parking lot and looking in car windows at Waterside Shops, 5415 U.S. 41 N.

Detectives watched Ome enter two unlocked luxury vehicles _ a 2021 white Cadillac XT5 and a 2022 green Genesis GV70, while Pineros sat outside one of the stores. Both men then got into a white Kia and left the area. A detective located the victims and determined no items were missing from either vehicle, while the other detectives continued with their surveillance.

They followed the Kia about three miles on U.S. 41 North to Whole Foods at Mercato. Detectives watched Ome and Pineros load up two shopping carts with groceries and then leave the store without paying for any of the items, which totaled over $400.

Detectives took the pair into custody.

Ome is charged with two counts of vehicle burglary in connection with the break-ins at Waterside Shops and retail theft. He was also charged with driving without a valid license.

Pineros is charged with first-degree larceny-petty theft.

A search of the Kia turned up window punches, rubber gloves, and a two-way radio/police band scanner which was in use by Ome when detectives took him into custody.