PortMiami Art Theft Arrests
Two Miami-Dade County employees assigned to PortMiami have been arrested in connection with the theft of approximately $50,000 worth of artwork from the cruise port, authorities announced on Wednesday. The case has sparked concerns about internal oversight and the security of publicly displayed art at one of the nation’s busiest seaports.
The suspects, identified as Angel Prudhomme, 27, and Tangela Parks, 50, were taken into custody without incident and charged with grand theft, a second-degree felony under Florida law. Both individuals were employed in logistical roles at PortMiami at the time of the theft.
The Theft
The investigation began in early May after several valuable pieces of artwork were reported missing from a secured area of a PortMiami cruise terminal. The artwork—part of a rotating public art exhibition managed by a Miami-based arts foundation—included limited-edition prints, mixed-media canvases, and small sculptures from both local and international artists.
Surveillance footage reportedly captured Prudhomme and Parks accessing restricted storage areas during off-hours. According to arrest affidavits, the suspects removed the artwork over several days, concealing the items in storage containers and transporting them in personal vehicles.
“Thanks to a coordinated effort between our deputies and PortMiami security, we were able to identify and arrest the individuals responsible before the stolen art could be fully distributed or sold,” said Miami-Dade Sheriff Christina Morales. “This is a clear betrayal of public trust, and our office will pursue justice to the fullest extent.”
The Investigation
The investigation was accelerated after a tip from another PortMiami employee prompted authorities to review security footage and employee access logs. Prudhomme and Parks were flagged for irregular behavior, including being in off-limits areas during non-working hours.
Search warrants were executed at both suspects’ homes, resulting in the recovery of several missing pieces of art. Authorities confirmed that some artworks had already been listed for sale on online marketplaces, though no confirmed transactions had taken place at the time of the arrests.
The suspects were booked into Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center and later released on bond pending trial. Both have been placed on administrative leave by Miami-Dade County while the case proceeds.
County and Community Response
The incident has raised alarm among county officials, art curators, and civic leaders. PortMiami, a gateway for millions of cruise passengers each year, has in recent years integrated more public art into its facilities as part of an initiative to enhance the visitor experience and celebrate Miami’s cultural vibrancy.
Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava expressed dismay over the arrests and pledged to launch a full review of county procedures and security measures. “These allegations are extremely disappointing,” the mayor said. “We will thoroughly review our internal controls to ensure public property is properly protected, and employee conduct is held to the highest standards.”
The arts community is also feeling the impact. A representative of the nonprofit that curated the stolen works, who requested anonymity due to the ongoing investigation, said the organization was “deeply saddened” by the incident.
“We’re grateful for law enforcement’s quick response and the recovery of some of the stolen items,” the representative said. “However, this underscores the need for better safeguards when placing valuable artwork in public venues.”
Legal and Policy Implications
If convicted, Prudhomme and Parks could face up to 15 years in prison, in addition to significant fines and restitution. Prosecutors are also expected to seek permanent disqualification from public employment as part of sentencing recommendations.
In parallel, the Miami-Dade Office of the Inspector General has launched an administrative investigation into how the theft went undetected for several days. Early findings are expected to inform updated security policies for the county’s public art program.
The Sheriff’s Office has urged anyone with information related to the case to come forward. Authorities are continuing to investigate whether other individuals may have assisted in the theft or helped attempt to sell the stolen items.
