US couple accused of theft arrested in Puerto Rico

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) -- A 76-year-old man and his wife have been arrested on grand theft charges as they disembarked from a cruise ship in Puerto Rico, authorities said Wednesday.

Ronald Smaldone and 57-year-old Sharon Smaldone were arrested late Monday as they arrived from Florida, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

The couple live in Weaverville, North Carolina, but are wanted by authorities in Collier County, Florida, customs spokesman Jeffrey Quinones said.

Michelle Batten, a spokeswoman for the Collier County Sheriff's Office, said the case stems from work the couple did as managers of a property in a residential community in North Naples.

She said that between 2006 and 2008, the Smaldones hired independent contractors to complete work on the home, submitting more than $400,000 in receipts to a local realty investment group. Batten said the couple is accused of keeping a little more than $300,000 for their personal benefit.

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