Authorities in Miami Beach have apprehended a man accused of orchestrating a high-end vehicle theft ring, with stolen cars valued at approximately $2 million. The suspect, Gregory Sean Yearty Jr., 24, was taken into custody on April 21 and faces several charges, including grand theft and burglary of an occupied structure.

The thefts involved luxury brands such as Rolls-Royce, Mercedes G-Wagon, and Ferrari, and occurred in the parking garage of the prestigious Setai Hotel, located along the iconic Collins Avenue. This case began to unfold on July 24 when several vehicles were reported missing from the hotel’s premises, a hotspot for affluent tourists.

According to the Miami Beach Police Department, security footage played a crucial role in tracking Yearty’s movements. Surveillance video captured the suspect sneaking into the hotel’s valet area, where guest car keys are stored, around 2:00 am. After grabbing several sets of keys, he crawled back out, only to meet up with two unidentified accomplices in the parking lot. Together, they managed to drive away with at least two luxury vehicles.

Yearty’s criminal activities did not stop there. Just a few hours later, before 6:00 am, he returned to the scene to carry out the same routine and stole two more cars. “He practically slithered into the valet’s key room, took about four different keys, and used a rented vehicle to make his getaway,” Officer Christopher Bess told WSVN.

Authorities revealed that once Yearty had the keys, he and others utilized a rented black Cadillac Escalade to tour the parking area before some exited the SUV and drove off in the stolen vehicles. Investigators tracked the rental Cadillac’s history, ultimately leading them to Yearty, who has a criminal record dating back to last year, according to Miami-Dade County jail records.

The investigation, which spanned several months, involved detectives meticulously gathering evidence from surveillance cameras and interviewing witnesses. As reported by CBS News, amid mounting pressure from the ongoing investigation, Yearty voluntarily surrendered to Miami Beach Police, leading to his arrest without incident.

He appeared in bond court on Tuesday, facing four counts of grand theft and burglary of an occupied structure, with further investigations underway. Currently, Yearty remains detained in the Miami-Dade County jail.

Wayne A. Jones, the Police Chief, praised his team’s efforts and emphasized the significance of this arrest against a backdrop of rising luxury car thefts nationwide. “Miami Beach is not immune,” he stated, warning that those who come to exploit the city’s residents and visitors will be held accountable.

Yearty’s arrest has highlighted a growing concern in the city: the rise of high-end car thefts, a crime that has seen an uptick across the nation in recent years. Authorities caution that organized crime groups continue to pose a threat, urging preventive measures to safeguard both residents and tourists.

This incident has also sparked worry among Miami Beach locals and visitors, who took to social media to express their alarm over such crimes occurring even in exclusive locations like The Setai. Some users called for enhanced security measures in parking areas and luxury hotels.