Florida Man Allegedly Robbed Lobster Traps ‘Just Hours’ Before Lobster Season Opened

A Florida man is facing charges for allegedly robbing lobster traps in the Keys “just hours” before the official start of lobster season, authorities said.

The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office said Deputies Willie Guerra and Luis Guiardinu were on patrol on the bayside of Grassy Key shortly before midnight on Tuesday, Aug. 5, when they spotted a “blacked out” 17-foot Mako boat with a lobster trap on board. Florida’s regular lobster season opens on Aug. 6 and tuns through March 31.

The suspect on board, identified as 40-year-old Dorgis Rodriguez Lugones, allegedly refused deputies’ commands not to dump the trap and did it anyway. He then allegedly dumped a cooler full of approximately 30 lobsters into the water and placed his hands on his head.

Deputies detained Rodriguez Lugones and retrieved the trap from the water. Rodriguez Lugones was arrested and booked into jail on charges of trap molestation, possession of out-of-season lobster, and tampering with evidence. His boat was impounded pending investigation.

“I want to thank Marine Deputies Willie Guerra and Luis Guiardinu who made this case for their continued hard work to protect our environment and warn others who are thinking of committing this crime — you will be arrested and you will go to jail,” said Sheriff Rick Ramsay.