A 39-year-old man was caught by an Ocala police K-9 after he allegedly attempted to run from a traffic stop on a stolen semi-truck carrying over $200,000 worth of seafood and meat.
On Sunday, April 9, at around 10:40 p.m., the Ocala Police Department received a 911 call from a victim who stated that their semi-truck had been stolen. OPD stated that the vehicle was equipped with a GPS tracker and the victim was able to inform 911 dispatchers of its location.
Officers located the stolen semi-truck in the Berkshire Oaks Plaza, which is over two miles away from where the vehicle was stolen, and multiple units responded to the area. The semi-truck came to a stop in order to turn onto SW 43rd Street Road, and an officer attempted to conduct a traffic stop, according to OPD.
The driver of the stolen semi-truck, later identified as Alain Marti-Rosell, exited the vehicle and ran towards a walled retention pond area.
An officer with a K-9 partner arrived on scene and tracked Marti-Rosell through the retention area, which included trees, sloped areas, and a small body of water. OPD stated that the officer spotted Marti-Rosell who was waist-deep in the water, and his back was turned towards the officer.
The officer’s K-9 partner followed commands and swiftly apprehended Marti-Rosell.
According to OPD, officers observed over $200,000 worth of fresh seafood and meats inside the semi-truck’s refrigerated trailer. Additionally, the lock on the trailer had been cut and a box of tuna fish had also been opened.
OPD discovered that Marti-Rosell is not a U.S. citizen. The police department stated that Marti-Rosell does not reside in Marion County, and he does not have any known ties to anyone in the area.
Marti-Rosell was arrested and transported to a local hospital for treatment of a dog bite. After being medically cleared, he was transported to Marion County Jail where he is currently being held on $126,000 bond.
Marti-Rosell is facing felony charges for grand theft of a motor vehicle, grand theft, grand theft of cargo ($50,000 or more), and dealing in stolen property, along with a misdemeanor charge for resisting an officer without violence.
A court date has been scheduled at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, May 9, according to jail records.