Police said the suspect was arrested within minutes near Griffin Road.
SOUTHWEST RANCHES, Fla. — A man accused of trying to take a prized horse from a Southwest Ranches barn was arrested Tuesday after the animal got free and the homeowner confronted the intruder, authorities said. The suspect, 19-year-old Marlon Arturo Chay, ran from the property before officers detained him nearby.
The case struck a nerve in a town built around equestrian life, where barns often store both animals and expensive gear. Investigators said Chay is also accused of breaking into another home in the same area, and they said he was being held without bond on an immigration hold as of Wednesday evening.
Investigators said the incident began in the morning, shortly before 9:30 a.m. Tuesday. Surveillance video showed a man entering a barn and heading to a stall area where a white Paso Fino horse was kept. Police said the man tried to saddle the horse as if preparing to lead it away. The horse resisted. Even with a saddle on, investigators said the animal broke loose and ran free, disrupting the attempt and drawing attention to the property.
Frank Espinosa, the homeowner, said he realized something was off when he came back from an appointment and saw one of his horses out at a time she normally would not be in the ring. He said the horse, Dulcera, was roaming, which made him fear a gate had been opened or someone had been in the barn. He and his wife walked toward the barn and saw equipment scattered across the property, he said. The mess made them worry the animals had been injured or taken, especially because the barn holds three horses he valued at nearly $60,000.
As they reached the barn, Espinosa said they came face to face with a man coming out of an equipment room. Espinosa said he and his wife confronted him, asking why he was there. Espinosa described the man as confused and unsteady, as if he did not fully understand the danger of being discovered. He said the man began walking toward the back of the barn area, then suddenly ran. Espinosa said the moment felt tense because horses can be unpredictable when stressed and because barns can hold sharp tools and heavy equipment.
Espinosa said he followed the man by car while calling police. Officers with the Davie Police Department arrested Chay near Griffin Road and Southwest 184th Avenue, investigators said. The arrest, they said, came shortly after the suspect fled. Police did not say whether Chay had any vehicle, rope, trailer, or other equipment that would be needed to move a horse off the property, and investigators did not describe any attempt to load the animal.
Authorities said Chay remained jailed on charges that included burglary and resisting arrest. Investigators also said he is accused of breaking into another home in the area, though they did not release details about what happened in that second case or whether any items were taken. It was not immediately clear whether the two alleged incidents happened on the same day, whether they were connected by surveillance video or witness descriptions, or whether there were other reported break-ins tied to the investigation.
Officials said Chay immigrated to the United States from Guatemala about four years ago and was being held without bond on an immigration hold as of Wednesday evening. Authorities did not provide details about the hold or a timeline for immigration proceedings. Criminal cases and immigration cases can move on separate tracks, and investigators did not say whether any federal agents were involved in the arrest.
For Espinosa, the incident was alarming because he said horse owners in the area look out for each other. “Definitely something alarming because we are always taking care of our neighbors who have horses,” he said. “These are our children so we take care of them.” He said the thought of someone entering the barn and handling the animals without permission was frightening, not only because of theft but also because of the risk of injury. “If he hurts one of the animals, then those expenses start adding up,” Espinosa said.
Espinosa said the suspect appeared “spaced out” during the encounter and blamed drugs for what he saw. “Stay off the drugs, because he really looked spaced out when I was talking to him,” he said. Police did not say whether they suspected impairment, whether any drugs were found, or whether any tests were requested. Investigators also did not say whether the suspect stole or damaged any equipment before running.
The investigation is expected to include a review of surveillance video and a closer look at what happened inside the barn before the owner returned. Investigators are also expected to piece together the suspect’s route through the area and determine whether anyone else helped plan or carry out the attempt. In neighborhoods with barns, owners often store saddles, bridles, and other tack that can cost thousands of dollars, and police have not said whether any of that gear was recovered or missing.
Residents of Southwest Ranches and nearby Davie have faced periodic concerns about horse thefts and property crimes in the past, and equestrian owners often say the loss of an animal is both financial and deeply personal. Espinosa said that feeling shaped how he reacted when he saw his horse loose. In his view, the fast response helped prevent a worse outcome for the animals and for the neighborhood.
As of Wednesday evening, Chay remained in custody, and authorities had not announced additional arrests. The next steps include court hearings on the burglary and resisting arrest charges, along with any separate action connected to the immigration hold.
Author note: Last updated February 19, 2026.