Taxi stolen in Marathon, suspect arrested after erratic drive into Upper Keys

Monroe County Sheriff’s deputies arrested 43 year old Misael Asaria Bocio following reports that he climbed into an unattended taxi in Marathon after the keys were left inside and drove the vehicle north into the Upper Keys. Deputies located the taxi driving erratically and stopped the vehicle in Islamorada, where Bocio was taken into custody and booked on charges that include grand theft auto and driving with a suspended license.

The incident unfolded as a routine ride became a county law enforcement matter, and it underscores both immediate safety concerns and deeper financial implications for the local transportation sector. Keys Weekly reported the arrest and booking details and noted that the sheriff identified Bocio as a habitual offender with prior violent felony convictions. No quotes were released with the report.

For residents and visitors, the immediate impact is practical and tangible. A stolen taxi interrupts service for customers who rely on ground transportation, it imposes repair and insurance costs on small operators, and it can temporarily reduce vehicle availability on busy weekends and holidays. From a public safety perspective erratic driving creates risk for other motorists, pedestrians and cyclists along U.S. Highway 1, a corridor that sees steady local and tourist traffic.

The criminal charges face Bocio in state court have the potential to carry significant penalties for property based theft and for driving while suspended. Prosecutors may also consider his habitual offender status when deciding on charges and sentencing recommendations. For the community, repeated interactions with offenders who have violent felony histories heighten concern about recidivism and public safety, and they can influence local calls for targeted enforcement and prevention strategies.

Policy responses that could reduce similar incidents include stronger lock and key protocols for taxis and other ride services, clearer training for drivers and dispatchers on securing vehicles while unattended, and outreach from the sheriff’s office about locking practices and reporting suspicious behavior promptly. For small operators the cost equation is clear. A single theft can raise insurance premiums and reduce profit margins in a thin margin local transportation market.

The arrest in Islamorada resolved a short chain of events that began with an unlocked vehicle in Marathon, but it leaves open questions about prevention and oversight. Monroe County residents who use taxis or operate vehicles should take extra care to secure keys and report erratic drivers immediately to law enforcement to reduce risk and protect community mobility.