Two arrested in Collier County traffic stop for possession of burglary tools

SOURCE: Florida Highway Patrol

COLLIER COUNTY, Fla. — Two men were arrested Thursday after troopers say they found multiple burglary tools in the vehicle during a traffic stop on Alligator Alley.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, a black Mercedes was clocked at 82 mph in a 70 mph zone around 3 p.m. and drastically slowed when approaching a trooper.

As the trooper approached the Mercedes, he noticed several red flags. The windows were tinted darker than the legal limit, and the tags were registered to Carlos Alberto Cardona, who has an expired driver's license.

When the trooper pulled the driver of the Mercedes, the driver, Justin Lee Vargas, 19, of Lehigh Acres, handed over registration documents under the name "Carlos" but said the car belonged to his friend, "Christopher." Accompanying Vargas in the passenger seat was Orlando Rodriguez Diaz, 27, from Miami Gardens, who claimed they were en route from Miami to a friend's house in Naples.

The trooper then spotted a power drill on the floor near Rodriguez Diaz's foot and a black backpack in the back seat. Vargas said nothing was illegal inside and denied consent to search the car.

However, a K-9 detected an odor of drugs, prompting a search. The report states marijuana was found in the center console and scattered on the floor.

A more thorough search revealed 18 key fobs unrelated to the Mercedes, handgun grips, drill bits, ski masks, a wallet containing residential key cards, and various tools commonly associated with burglary. The trunk showed signs of tampering, with white foam and a missing spare tire.

Inside the backpack, troopers found three flathead screwdrivers, one large flathead screwdriver (which reportedly looked more like a crowbar), a pair of rubber gloves, an OBD cable (typically for vehicle diagnostics but can also be used for car theft), more key fobs for different vehicles inside a zip-close bag, and a black hoodie.

Vargas and Rodriguez Diaz denied knowledge of the items or intent to commit burglary. However, given their extensive criminal history, including over 20 previous felony charges such as grand theft auto, and burglary, troopers were unconvinced.

More discrepancies emerged in their stories.

Vargas told the trooper they were using his friend's car to visit his mother at an Airbnb in Naples. When asked where his luggage was, he said he was only going to Naples for a few hours and then heading back to Miami. The trooper thought it was suspicious to visit then since Mother's Day is on Sunday, May 12.

Vargas claimed his mother rented out the Airbnb and that she had been there several days before. Still, when asked for documentation of the reservation, he could not provide any, even while communicating with his mother.

When speaking with a second trooper, Rodriguez Diaz changed his story to say they were headed to Naples to meet with some girls.

Based on the items inside the car, prior criminal histories, and contradicting stories, FHP determined both suspects had knowledge of the tools inside and had intent to commit burglary. They were arrested for possession of burglary tools. The Mercedes was towed, and the items were submitted as evidence.

Vargas and Rodriguez Diaz are currently in custody at the Collier County Jail on charges of possession of burglary tools.