Florida Man Arrested In Multi-County Commercial Vehicle Theft Ring
Investigation Alleges Fraudulent VINs and Falsified Documents Used to Conceal Stolen Semi-Trucks and Trailers
A 54-year-old man has been arrested in connection with a large-scale criminal enterprise involving the theft of commercial vehicles across South Florida. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ (FDACS) Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement (OALE) took Leonel Diaz Pairol into custody on September 8, 2025, for his alleged role in the operation.
According to FDACS Commissioner Wilton Simpson, the theft ring specialized in using fraudulent vehicle identification numbers (VINs) and falsified title documentation to conceal stolen commercial trucks and trailers.
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“The theft of commercial trucks and trailers is not a victimless crime,” said Commissioner Simpson. “It drives up the cost of goods and services for every Floridian. Thanks to the diligent work of our Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement, a major player in a sophisticated vehicle theft and fraud operation has been taken off the streets.”
The investigation began in 2023 after a referral to OALE about a criminal enterprise trafficking in stolen property and fraudulent documents. Special Agents soon identified a semi-trailer with a counterfeit VIN and fraudulent paperwork during a traffic stop in Immokalee. The vehicle was linked to EZH Transport Inc., a company owned by Diaz Pairol.
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Further investigation revealed that OALE had previously seized three VIN-swapped semi-tractors from Diaz Pairol and EZH Transport. Officials determined that falsified documents and fraudulent rebuild inspection records were used to obtain titles for these vehicles.
In one instance, a Freightliner tractor valued at approximately $140,000, which had been reported stolen from Miami-Dade County, was allegedly part of the scheme.
Diaz Pairol has been charged with multiple felony offenses, including:
- Three counts of Title Fraud / False Statements
- Three counts of Possession of Altered VIN
- Three counts of Obtaining Title with Fraudulent Documents
- One count of Dealing in Stolen Property
Diaz Pairol was transported to the Miami-Dade Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center and is awaiting judicial proceedings. FDACS stated it will continue to aggressively investigate and disrupt criminal enterprises that target Florida’s businesses, consumers, and supply chains.
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