A former operator of a now-closed golf cart sales and repair business in Miami-Dade County is facing numerous felony charges for allegedly defrauding multiple victims through unethical practices. Court documents reveal four active cases against Miguel Angel Gomez, 43, from southwest Miami-Dade, who was first detained on April 2. His most recent arrest occurred while he was already incarcerated at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center.
Authorities have identified Gomez as the person behind Vice City Golf Carts, previously located at 18753 SW 105th Place in an industrial area west of Cutler Bay. His alleged scheme involved retaining possession of clients’ golf carts without permission and subsequently selling or transferring them to unsuspecting individuals, hoping to cover up multiple thefts.
The latest incident involved an 80-year-old Palmetto Bay resident. She contacted Gomez on December 16, 2024, paying him $220 upfront to repair a flat tire on her golf cart. Gomez claimed he needed to transport the cart to his shop for repairs. Instead, he kept the $10,000 E-Z-GO for a month and a half, offering various vague excuses for the delay.
The woman eventually confronted Gomez at his residence on January 31, where she discovered her cart stripped for parts. Upon informing him of a filed police report, Gomez hurriedly returned the cart to her home without notice, but it was missing vital components. The woman subsequently spent $5,000 restoring the golf cart to working condition.
Other cases include a man who hired Gomez to make his golf cart street-legal, expecting its return within a few weeks after a $1,000 deposit. Despite assurances, Gomez delayed its return for months. On September 6, 2024, at a Miami-Dade tag agency, the victim realized his cart’s title falsely referenced a different brand and VIN number, even as Gomez had already loaned the cart to another party for seven months.
Another incident involved a customer trading his old cart for a new one, paying a $1,000 deposit, only for Gomez to never deliver the new cart. Gomez reportedly dismissed the situation as a misunderstanding.
As of Thursday, Gomez remains incarcerated on nine felony charges, including grand theft, organized fraud, and theft from an elderly person. His bond is set at $26,000. Additionally, he faces an immigration hold as a Uruguayan national, with potential for further charges.
Impact on Daily Life
The allegations against Miguel Angel Gomez highlight the potential risks consumers face when engaging with service providers without thorough verification. For Miami-Dade residents, especially those relying on golf carts for daily mobility, such unethical practices can lead to significant financial losses and inconvenience.
This case underscores the importance of conducting due diligence before hiring service providers, emphasizing the need for transparency and proper documentation to prevent fraudulent activities. Consumers might become more cautious, seeking verified and reputable businesses to avoid falling victim to similar scams, thereby influencing the local market dynamics.