Category: Crime Watch

Utopia residents enjoy one of the safest neighborhoods in Miami because of a visible and proactive patrol by City of Miami off-duty policemen contracted by the Utopia HOA.

The following is an excerpt from an email received by the Utopia Security Liaison from Sgt Abad reporting on activities during his security patrol on Feb 5, 2014:

Mr. Fernandez FYI tonight at 11:30 PM I initiated a traffic stop on a suspicious vehicle traveling east on Ventura from Lejeune crossing the park and heading to Braganza. At Poinciana and Braganza the vehicle attempted to black out and conceal itself at which point I initiated a traffic stop. The vehicle tag was expired and the individuals were dressed in all black. The driver was arrested and the passenger was released. Both subjects came back with prior robbery and burglary arrests.

We encourage our members to spread the word about how our security association is thwarting crime and ask every homeowner to join the security association so we can afford increased hours of police protection.

According to Miami Commissioner Marc Sarnoff, in his recent District 2 Newsletter, the police are targeting gang-related violent crime in Coconut Grove with a new police substation located close to Utopia at the intersection of Douglas and Grand avenues.

In July 2013, I brought forward the idea of a supporting base of operations for the police in Coconut Grove to City of Miami Police Chief Manuel Orosa and newly-appointed Commander Manuel Morales. They both agreed with and supported the idea as a direct way of fighting criminal activity in a high-crime area where gang violence had emerged as a serious threat to the safety of Coconut Grove citizens. These citizens supported the station as a definable place for community outreach, where residents and businesses can connect with police services. The community also supported the idea in response to a spike in crime.

We are lucky to have such a proactive city commissioner supporting our call for improved safety. We should also be aware and vigilant about expanding our own patrols as gangs are notorious for striking out when law enforcement starts a dragnet operation in their “territory”. It is very possible that we may witness an increase in gang-related violent crime and crimes against property as the new police station forms a base of operations in their backyard. Please encourage your neighbors to join our homeowner’s security association and consider making a supplemental monthly or annual voluntary contribution for increased police patrols.

Commander Manuel A. Morales
Coconut Grove NET
Miami Police Department

On Wednesday, November 20th at 4PM the below pictured offender entered the Victoria Secret at CocoWalk and stated to the clerk that he had a gun and demanded money. The offender took the cash and fled the scene prior to the arrival of responding officers.

At 10:30Pm the same offender entered the Quick Mart located in the 3100 block of grand Ave and told the clerk he had a gun and demanded money. The clerk noticed the defendant did not appear to be armed and told him to leave the store as he called 911. The offender was departing the store and confronted an elderly female sitting in her vehicle in the parking lot. The offender told the victim he had a gun and reached inside her car and took her purse. The offender fled the scene prior to the arrival of responding officers.

At 11:30PM the same offender entered the Walgreens in the 3600 block of S. Dixie Hwy. and advised the clerk he had a gun and demanded money from the register. The offender took the cash and fled the scene on a bike.

This violent serial robber was identified by the fine efforts of our investigators in the Robbery Unit. The information and identity was given to the members of our Tactical Robbery Unit who located and apprehended the offender today. A record check revealed the offender has numerous previous arrest to include robbery and battery.

On Tuesday, November 26th at 1:30 am the below pictured offender entered the Walgreens located in the 3600 Block of S. Dixie Hwy. The offender attempted to steal several items and was confronted by the store clerk. The offender became violent and assaulted the clerk with a broken bottle. The offender fled the scene as the clerk called 911.

At 3AM, we received another 911 call from Quick Stop located in the 3100 block of Grand Ave, where the same offender was threatening the clerk a pipe. Officer M. Inguanzo, who had handled the previous call, was around the corner and was able to place the offender under arrest. Further investigation revealed, the offender was wanted on both incidents. A record check revealed the offender has a long criminal history with over 30 arrests and is listed as a career violent repeat offender. Officers on the scene received anonymous information that the offender is also involved in our rise of bicycle theft in Coconut Grove.

The efforts of our Coconut Grove patrol officers, along with the assistance of our investigative and tactical units, quickly brought these two violent repeat offenders into custody. Our primary goal is to prevent crime, but when crimes occur, we will not stop until we bring those responsible to justice. I will continue to keep you posted on our crime fighting efforts.

Thank You