CrimeWatchers: Solicitors in our Zone

Abusive salesman:

Abusive and aggressive magazine salesmen are once again plaguing our Coconut Grove community. Do not engage with these abusive magazine salesmen. Read below information from a North Grove neighbor.

Several neighbors reported a young black male, white shirt, khaki shorts, aprox 5’10”, overweight by about 50lbs, selling magazines, dooor to door. He is not polite and considered verbally abusive. One neighbor was so insulted she slammed the door in his face. As I declined his sale he remarked that I wasn’t buying from him because I was older than he and not willing to help out a young guy. He said he had been working the neighborhood for several days, He goes by the name of Michael. As I wished him well and was closing the door he mocked me. Later when I came outside and walked to my car he shouted “be safe, ……..” and called me by my first name . He obviously has been doing his homework on the Google with our addresses.

Please call the police immediately if you see him or anyone fitting this description.

Do not answer the door, speak to him through a window if you want this person to know someone is home.

If you spot these salesmen, please contact the police immediately at 305-579-6111.

Road Improvements Scheduled for Utopia

It appears that the road and drainage issues reported to Commissioner Sarnoff by the Utopia Board have made it through the capital appropriations process and is scheduled to begin immediately per his newsletter today.

South Grove Phase I Roadway & Drainage Improvements are Underway!

As we all know, the majority of Coconut Grove is enduring a major facelift as our roads, sidewalks and drainage systems are improving. We appreciate your patience during this much needed process.

Currently, the South Grove Phase I Roadway Improvements have just begun. Work is slated to be completed January 18, 2015. The scope of the work includes minor storm sewer improvements and asphalt/pavement restoration and reconstruction between the following construction limits:

1. Poinciana Avenue East of Kent Court
2. Poinciana Avenue & Solana Road
3. Ensenada Avenue North of La Playa Boulevard
4. Ventura Avenue East of Le Jeune Road
5. Utopia Court South of El Prado Boulevard
6. El Prado Boulevard from Utopia Court to Midway Street

The hours of operation for this project will be 8:00 a.m. through 5:00 p.m., Mondays through Fridays. The schedule could change due to bad weather. Some lane closures may be necessary, but accessibility to local traffic and pedestrians will be maintained at all times. If you have any questions or require additional information, please contact the City’s Public Information Section at (305) 416-1280, or email Wendy Jaramillo or Alicia C. Alvarez at [email protected] or [email protected].

Burglars Arrested in North Grove

On Thursday, September 25, at 11:00 PM, a grove officer received information from a passerby that several males were walking in the area of SW 17 Ave and Tiger Tail looking suspiciously into vehicles and homes. Officers were able to locate the below listed males that were in the area with backpacks attempting to conceal themselves from the police units. The males were unable to dispel the officers cause for alarm and had no legitimate reason their presence in the area at that time. Further investigation revealed that they had an extensive criminal past for Burglary and Grand Theft.

Arrested in Coconut Grove

J Melendez Arrested
J Melendez
R Alonso Arrested
R Alonso
B. Jones Arrested
B. Jones

This is just the latest example of how the residents and the police working together can have an incredible impact in preventing crimes.

Commander Manuel A. Morales
Coconut Grove NET
Miami Police Department

Arrest for Grove Burglaries at Intersection of Pamona and Le Jenne

Email Received from Commander Morales, Miami Police Department:

On Monday, September 22, 2014 at approximately 10 Am – Our units handled reported burglaries in the 3600 block of Poinciana Avenue, Palmetto Avenue, and Frantz Rd. The resident on Frantz Rd was home and witnessed the offender attempting to gain access into the home via the rear glass sliding door.

At the same time, our partners in the Coral Gables Police were working several incidents in their jurisdiction that appeared related to the ones in the south grove.

The units in Coral Gables were able to locate an offender matching the description of our burglar. The grove resident was able to positively identified the offender as our burglar that was arrested on the spot. At this time, members of our Burglary Unit are working closely to conduct the follow up investigation with the Gables Police.

Unfortunately, the offender does not appear connected to the burglary incidents in the north grove.

I will keep you update on our progress once the investigation is completed. One more criminal off our streets!

Commander Manuel A. Morales
Coconut Grove NET
Miami Police Department
South District Substation
2200 West Flagler St.
Miami, FL. 33135
Office 305-643-7170
Mobile 786-300-1479