‘Christmas Grinch’ arrested months after stealing woman’s packages near Miami Home Depot

MIAMI BEACH, Florida. – A 53-year-old man dubbed the “Christmas Grinch” by police was arrested Thursday in Miami Beach in connection with a theft that occurred in the city of Miami last November, authorities said.

According to investigators, Jesus Fernandez of Miami was arrested by the Priority Support Detail after an arrest warrant was issued following a thorough investigation by the Miami Police Department’s Burglary Unit.

The incident occurred on November 23, 2023 at approximately 12:35 p.m. after the victim parked her vehicle in front of a Home Depot at 2999 SW 32nd Ave. and went shopping.

When she returned, investigators said she discovered that all of her shopping bags, which she had stored in her trunk and contained approximately $1,000 worth of items, had been stolen.

According to police, surveillance video from the victim’s Tesla showed Fernandez opening the trunk and stealing her packages. Fernandez was observed wiping his fingerprints off surfaces he touched inside the vehicle before fleeing the scene, authorities said.

According to a police report, the victim told police she recognized Fernandez because he smiled at her as she entered the Home Depot.

According to authorities, a detective with the Doral Police Department recognized Fernandez from a previous arrest, which led to his identification.

In addition to this incident, police said Fernandez faces additional charges for related crimes. Authorities said he also has arrest warrants from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Interpol in connection with human smuggling across the Mexican border.

“This is another example of the great work of our PSD burglary unit and the excellent cooperation of the Miami Police Department with neighboring police departments,” said a Miami Police Department spokesman.

According to jail records, Fernandez is charged with one count each of third-degree grand larceny and burglary of an unoccupied conveyance.

As of Friday, Fernandez has been held at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center, where his bail has been set at $17,000.