A resident of Hialeah, whose country of origin has not been disclosed, is facing serious charges following a series of incidents that, according to the police, constitute repeated harassment against a former business partner.
Gabriel Peña, 44 years old, was arrested this Tuesday and remains in custody while his legal situation is being determined.
Authorities attribute to him a “voluntary, malicious, and repeated pattern of behavior” that has generated “a great deal of fear and distress for the victim and her family.”
A commercial dispute that escalated into harassment
The case originated from a financial dispute.
According to the Police, it all started two years ago, after the dissolution of a business agreement between Peña and the victim, who owed him about 200,000 dollars.
However, instead of taking the dispute to the judicial arena, Peña would have chosen direct and persistent confrontations, showing up repeatedly in places where his former partner was present, to demand payment of the debt.
The victim reported a series of “suspicious encounters” that began to cause her an increasing sense of insecurity.
The situation escalated until, on December 4, 2025, a security alert at their home revealed that someone was at the entrance of their house.
Unauthorized tracking and surveillance device
The security camera footage showed a man dressed entirely in black, wearing a cap, a long-sleeved Gymshark sweater, sports pants, and dark shoes.
Shortly after, the victim’s cell phone detected the presence of a tracking device placed in their car.
After an investigation, the officers linked the device directly to Gabriel Peña.
This finding marked a key turning point in the case, as the unauthorized placement of a tracking device constitutes an additional offense and strengthens the charge of aggravated stalking.
Detention and Reaction of the Accused
On January 27, Peña was finally arrested while he was – once again – at the victim’s house.
He was again wearing a black Gymshark sweatshirt and a dark cap.
According to the police report -quoted by Local 10– when informed of the charges, Peña responded sarcastically: “Is this what I get for knocking on someone’s door?”
The police noted that the accused repeatedly ignored the victim’s requests to resolve the situation through legal channels, insisting on direct methods that led to a situation of persistent harassment.
Charges and possible criminal consequences
Gabriel Peña now faces charges of aggravated harassment, installation of a tracking device without consent, and trespassing.
Criminal record of the accused (Source: Screenshot from Miami-Dade.gov)
According to Florida law, aggravated harassment is considered a third-degree felony.
If found guilty, Peña could face up to five years in prison, five years of probation, and a fine that could reach $5,000.
This type of crime occurs when there is a credible threat that instills in the victim a reasonable fear of death or physical harm.
The actions attributed to Peña—following the victim, appearing unannounced at her home, and placing a tracker on her—intensify the seriousness of the events and justify the charge of aggravated harassment.
As of the close of this report, Gabriel Peña remains detained at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center (TGK), and his bail has yet to be set.
The case reflects a troubling trend where civil or financial disputes escalate into acts of intimidation or harassment, endangering not only the direct victims but also their families.