Sheriff's Office uses infrared cameras to locate suspected boat-motor thieves

PALM SHORES, Fla. — The Brevard County Sheriff's Office has released infrared video of burglars they said were caught red-handed as they attempted to steal boat motors.

In the videos, deputies can be seen chasing down the men accused of stealing the motors.

The sheriff's aviation unit spotted two men inside the Atlantic Storage boat and RV facility on U.S. 1 in Palm Shores.

Deputies said they were trying to steal motors worth as much as $20,000 apiece.

The business has been hit three times in the past few months, authorities said.

"I feel horrible for my customers," said owner Carl Hartwigs. "We've been violated, a horrible thing to go through."

Hartwigs said he's not the only one who has been a victim. He said four or five other storage places across the county have also been hit, likely by an organized group of thieves.

"They had on the headlight lamps, with the backpacks, with the tools," he said.

Authorities said a neighbor heard something suspicious and called the Sheriff's Office, which is what helped authorities locate and arrest the suspects.

Deputies identified the suspects as Jorge Cabrera and Elio Mayea.

Deputies can't say how big they believe the operation is because it's part of an ongoing investigation.

WFTV