Grove Crime Alert from Police Commander Manuel Morales

We have had tremendous success in our crime fighting efforts during the first half of the year, especially in in the North Grove with an overall crime reductions of -45%, but Summer is upon us and with it comes a historical crime spike in property crimes.

In the past 3 days we have seen 3 incidents in the North Grove.

2400 block of Inagua
2300 block of Lincoln
2100 block of Tigertail

We suspect the same offender due to the relative closeness of the locations, the similar entry via rear glass door and the targeting of watches and jewelry. I have assigned units to the area on a permanent detail with specific instructions to address the types of crime we are attempting to combat. In addition, I have enlisted the assistance of a mounted unit, which offers a greater vantage point to identify possible offenders in fenced yards.

Take extra precaution to protect your property by always locking your doors and windows, activating your alarm and keeping your exterior lights on at night.
The offenders are targeting watches and jewelry, a good crime prevention technique is to consolidate those valuables and hide them in an unlikely place (freezer, under sofa cushions).

As always, please call 911 immediately to report an incident in progress, for suspicious activity call 305-579-6111. Please keep that number in your cell phone.

I will keep you posted on our crime fighting efforts.

Cmdr. Manuel Morales

BOLO: Burglary Suspect in Coconut Grove

Raul Renoso

Additional Burglary Incident

Sunday, March 23, around 12:45 pm, a home was broken into in the 2600 block of Natoma St. The occupant was home and heard the intruders and called the police. When the occupant called out asking who was in her house they fled through a side door in the garage. This burglary of an occupied residence was more brazen than usual because it occurred on a Sunday afternoon! Please remember to set your alarms every time you leave and lock all doors. Also keep the doors locked and the alarm on even when you’re home.

From Commander Morales:

We were able to view footage from a neighbors camera. A white newer model Buick Enclave SUV drove around several times. Moments later, a black male and a black female with a possible mildly hunched back are seen gaining entry into the side yard of the residence. Units are aware of the vehicle and offenders and are on the lookout.

Armed Robbery in Center Grove

On March 26, 2014, at 6:20 AM a woman was walking to the gym and was approached by a black male with dread locks wearing camo shorts. He held her up at gunpoint and forced her to walk into a secluded exit gate driveway by a dumpster and held a gun to her chest while he made her remove her earrings, necklace and phone.

From Commander Morales:

No video was located – no prints, but victim can ID. The offender appears to be connected to our last robbery on Matilda on March 20th. We are looking for a red or maroon Nissan Altima or Maxima. This duo is suspected of committing several robberies in the city.

Offender 1 – black male 6’0 – 220 lbs with dreads and tattoos.
Offender 2 – (driver) white latin male muscular with tattoos.

Crime Alert

March 17, 2014: Car Hopper

At 3828 Utopia Ct our resident car hopper struck again. The owners stated that the incident happened during the night. They left their car unlocked and $2.50 in lose change was taken from the car. What’s a car hopper? Watch this story on CBS news.

March 20, 2014: Car Theft

Car theft occurs in Utopia neighborhood
Car theft occurs in Utopia neighborhood
A car was stolen from 4140 El Prado during the midnight hours. The officer reported that there are no traces of breaking into a car. The owner did not hear or see anything.

Please talk to your neighbors about preventing crime in Utopia and ask them to join our association so we can increase our patrol hours.

March 21, 2014: Robbery

On Friday, March 21 at 11:50 pm, a female was walking in the area of Coconut Grove Elementary on Matilda St, when she was approached by a black male (see description below), who took her purse. A second unknown offender was awaiting in a red or maroon color Nissan Altima that fled northbound on Matilda from Oak Ave.

The vehicle and offender match the description of a vehicle seen in the West Village engaged in suspicious solicitation of homeowners.

The occupants of the vehicle are (1) the passenger, a black male in his mid-20’s medium build, with dreads and tattoos, and (2) the driver, a white Latin male with short hair and tattoos on arms. The duo was approaching residents and offering to conduct a security survey. Both males were wearing polo shirts with security written on them and carrying a clipboard.

If you see a vehicle or subjects matching the above description call 911 immediately. Please remember not to open your door to strangers regardless of their claim, call the police non-emergency phone 305-579-6111.