A Miami Beach streetlight technician has been arrested and two others have been relieved of duty after authorities say copper wire was stolen from a park.
Manuel Perez, 57, was arrested Friday on charges of grand theft and secondhand dealer/verification/ownership in the third degree, Miami Beach city officials said.
He was booked into jail on $12,500 bond and it was unknown if he's hired an attorney.
According to police reports, Perez was stealing copper wire and selling it to Federal Metals on North River Drive. Perez made a total of 79 transactions and was paid a total of $9,856.50, authorities said.
Streetlight technicians Jorge Fernandez and Gustavo Valbuena have been relieved of duty and are awaiting the outcome of an internal investigation as well.
“Since I was appointed city manager, it has been my mission to root out corruption and wrongdoing in the administration," Miami Beach City Manager Jimmy Morales said. "It is a terrible shame and disservice to the many dedicated men and women of the City of Miami Beach’s administration that the actions of these public employees have led to today’s action.”
