Spring Hill man charged in farm equipment theft case

Investigators from three counties have worked together for the past two years on a case involving missing farming equipment worth approximately $87,000, authorities said.

Last week, the suspect in those thefts was arrested at his Spring Hill home.

Francisco Rivera-Ocasio, 54, of 14307 Amero Lane, was arrested July 21 on multiple felony counts, including commercial burglary, grand theft and dealing in stolen property.

The recovered items included a lawn mower and trailer, a front-end loader, two tractors and various other utility vehicles, according to the Hernando County Sheriff's Office.

Detectives have linked Rivera-Ocasio to at least seven theft cases locally and several more crimes in Marion County, said Sgt. Wendy McGinnis, a sheriff's spokeswoman.

The Sumter County Sheriff's Office also was involved in the investigation, according to a media release.

Most of the stolen equipment has been recovered and returned to their owners, deputies said.

Rivera-Ocasio is being held at the Hernando County Jail. His bail was set at $40,000.