NorCal man allegedly stole $12,000 worth of wine from Napa winery so he could get his paycheck
03/28/2023 1:36 pm PDT
NAPA, Calif. (TCD) -- Several boxes of wine were seemingly held hostage last week after a delivery driver allegedly stole a truck and the alcohol in order to ensure he received compensation from his job.
On Friday, March 24, the Napa County Sheriff's Office announced deputies arrested Jose Humberto Martinez on charges of grant theft, taking a vehicle without consent, and receiving stolen property. Martinez reportedly used to work as a delivery driver and was "holding the wine as a way to get his final paycheck from his former job."
According to KRON-TV, Martinez was recently fired from his job at Go Express, a shipping company. He allegedly stole one of Go Express' vans and went to a winery under a fake name saying he was picking up a shipment. The winery was reportedly waiting for Go Express or their parent company, GLS, to come get the wine boxes for their wine club.
Some of the winery's employees reportedly spoke with GLS and Go Express, but the shipping companies did not have any reports of stolen trucks or wine. One of the winery employees told KRON the wine was supposed to be sent to wine club members in California and Nevada, and it was worth about $12,000.
An employee filed a police report and minutes later received a call that deputies located the van. KRON reports the wine is still in good condition due to the cold temperature inside the van.
Napa County Jail records show Martinez's body is set at $25,000.
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