Hamilton Reef
03-16-2005, 09:35 PM
Inspector accused of damaging yachts
http://www.mlive.com/news/grpress/index.ssf?/base/news-5/1110987964105130.xml
Wednesday, March 16, 2005, By John Tunison, The Grand Rapids Press
HOLLAND -- In a boat-building factory on Holland's South Side, Tiara Yachts makes floating palaces that can cost $1 million or more. The mission: to pursue the "ultimate goal of perfection."
That's why vandalism of boats on the assembly line baffled managers for months: words etched in expensive teak; seat fabric sliced open; holes drilled into fuel and water tanks.
An effort to arrest the culprit finally paid off with perhaps the least-likely suspect -- an inspector responsible for catching manufacturing flaws.
Police believe employee Ricardo Mireles, 33, damaged boats to get others in trouble. He reported much of the vandalism himself.
Mireles was arraigned last week in Holland District Court for malicious destruction of property, a five-year felony, and released on a $5,000 personal-recognizance bond. A probable-cause hearing is scheduled for March 24.
Mireles did not return phone calls and his attorney, Fernando Bedevia, declined comment. Company officials also would not comment.
According to police, Tiara began experiencing "sabotage" in June, "such as someone drilling holes into fuel tanks."
In February, Mireles showed up on a hidden camera, his hand on a step he later reported damaged, Holland police Detective Doug VanderKooy wrote.
Police say Mireles admitted scrawling "Lloron" into the step over a dispute with co-workers who harassed him. The word means "cry baby" in Spanish. He also allegedly admitted to poking holes in a fuel and water tank.
Mireles denied additional vandalism -- including two other wood carvings, a rubber hose with knife cuts and the ripped seat -- but police believe he was responsible for all the damage, pegged at more than $5,000 by Tiara.
Mireles was fired Feb. 9. Prosecutors have offered to let him plead to a lesser offense if he waives the probable-cause hearing and makes full restitution.
http://www.mlive.com/news/grpress/index.ssf?/base/news-5/1110987964105130.xml
Wednesday, March 16, 2005, By John Tunison, The Grand Rapids Press
HOLLAND -- In a boat-building factory on Holland's South Side, Tiara Yachts makes floating palaces that can cost $1 million or more. The mission: to pursue the "ultimate goal of perfection."
That's why vandalism of boats on the assembly line baffled managers for months: words etched in expensive teak; seat fabric sliced open; holes drilled into fuel and water tanks.
An effort to arrest the culprit finally paid off with perhaps the least-likely suspect -- an inspector responsible for catching manufacturing flaws.
Police believe employee Ricardo Mireles, 33, damaged boats to get others in trouble. He reported much of the vandalism himself.
Mireles was arraigned last week in Holland District Court for malicious destruction of property, a five-year felony, and released on a $5,000 personal-recognizance bond. A probable-cause hearing is scheduled for March 24.
Mireles did not return phone calls and his attorney, Fernando Bedevia, declined comment. Company officials also would not comment.
According to police, Tiara began experiencing "sabotage" in June, "such as someone drilling holes into fuel tanks."
In February, Mireles showed up on a hidden camera, his hand on a step he later reported damaged, Holland police Detective Doug VanderKooy wrote.
Police say Mireles admitted scrawling "Lloron" into the step over a dispute with co-workers who harassed him. The word means "cry baby" in Spanish. He also allegedly admitted to poking holes in a fuel and water tank.
Mireles denied additional vandalism -- including two other wood carvings, a rubber hose with knife cuts and the ripped seat -- but police believe he was responsible for all the damage, pegged at more than $5,000 by Tiara.
Mireles was fired Feb. 9. Prosecutors have offered to let him plead to a lesser offense if he waives the probable-cause hearing and makes full restitution.