Video shows air conditioner being robbed at Holiday Inn near Miami airport; imprisoned couple

MIAMI SPRINGS, Florida. – Authorities released surveillance video Thursday of a couple accused of robbing a hotel near Miami International Airport, but they said the two men were not looking for money or valuables .

Instead, police said the couple was looking for mini split air conditioning units.

According to arrest reports, the crime happened early Wednesday morning at the Holiday Inn at 1111 S. Royal Poinciana Blvd. in Miami Springs.

Miami Springs police arrested 32-year-old Jovanni Prieto and 30-year-old Rachel Diaz. Prieto's arrest report lists his occupation as “air conditioning mechanic.”

The couple has three children together and Diaz is pregnant with another, according to police.

Police said the video shows the two men entering a shed and taking four air conditioning units; a security guard approached them and the couple fled.

The authorities believe they have already done this.

“They have a long history,” said Miami Springs police officer Janice Simon. “So it’s possible that this isn’t their first crime and it could be linked to other crimes.”

Authorities said they arrested the two men at a nearby Days Inn, located at 4767 NW 36th St.; the couple was staying at the hotel.

“So they were very humble,” Simon said. “But when I was handcuffing him, he was telling me to watch his hands. And I mean, he even said, “They're all cut off from air conditioners.”'

Police said they found Xanax and crystal meth in a safe in the couple's bedroom.

Prieto faces burglary, theft and drug charges, while Diaz faces burglary, theft and criminal mischief charges.