MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. — “Stealing is the way of life,” Vanessa Equisquiza told a Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office deputy during her arrest Tuesday, according to officials. Equisquiza, 49, and two accomplices, Willshaye Davis and Nayeli Corrales, are accused of nearly $160,000 in thefts across South Florida over just a few months.
According to deputies, the trio targeted cosmetics and facial-care departments in stores throughout Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties. They allegedly hid merchandise in purses and tote-style bags, committing multiple thefts in a single day and selling the stolen items daily.
Records show this pattern isn’t new: Davis, 25, had previous retail theft arrests in 2023 and 2024, Corrales, 23, had a 2002 grand theft arrest, and Equisquiza had two prior theft convictions.
Equisquiza was arrested at Southwest 147 Avenue and 58 Street and found carrying about 8 grams of marijuana in her purse. Corrales was also arrested Tuesday, while deputies are still searching for Davis, who remains at large.
On Wednesday, Equisquiza faced 29 new charges across three cases, including 13 counts of dealing in stolen property, nine counts of third-degree grand theft, and five counts of petit theft. Florida law allows a new petit theft charge to be elevated to a felony if the defendant has two or more prior theft convictions. A judge set her bond at $87,500 and scheduled a hearing to ensure criminal proceeds aren’t used for bail.
Corrales faced 13 new charges in two cases, including seven counts of dealing in stolen property, five counts of third-degree grand theft, and retail theft.
