Miami Officers Injured While Chasing Burglary Suspect
MIAMI (CBSMiami) -- Two Miami police officers are recovering from their injuries after chasing and capturing a burglary suspect who was on roller blades and who records show has a criminal history.
One of those officers and the victim spoke out after the cops recovered all of the stolen items.
"This is just part of our instincts," said Officer Ricardo John. "This is what we do. I was a burglary detective also before and I have been to many burglary scenes. I have never been a victim but I have seen what has happened to people and we try to help people."
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John, who has been with the Miami Police department for the past 21 years, walks with a limp after injuring his left Achilles tendon after he and a female officer pursued
the suspect.
John is going to have his left ankle checked out and the unidentified female police officer was taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital for tests after injuring her shoulder.
"It feels really, really good to help people," John told CBS4's Peter D'Oench. "You know they work hard and to give them back everything in one piece is a blessing."
"Would you do that again?" D'Oench asked John.
"In a heart beat, in a heart beat," he said. "And next time with a better leg."
John said he received a call about the burglary that happened at the apartment of 49-year-old Oscar Castellano, a married father of two children.
Police say the suspect who they identified as 27-year-old Franklin Barrera-Madred had broken in to the apartment through a window. He fled with a duffel bag that Castellano said contained lap top computers, jewelry and watches.
"We got a call about a burglary and a description of a man wearing a black hat and a number 9 jersey," said John. "I saw a man matching that description. I saw him roller blading away from me and when I pulled up on him, I said, police stop. He has the duffel bag with the victim's belongings. I said sit down and he started roller blading away from me."
"We cornered him a few blocks away and unfortunately my partner was hurt," he said. "She was taken to trauma after being taken down. I think my Achilles was sprained. It was not popped otherwise I could not stand. I saw my partner being tussled so I sprinted over to her. It's been awhile since I sprinted so my Achilles got messed up.
Records show Barrera-Madred had been arrested before for burglary, criminal mischief and probation violation. He was busted on his 27th birthday.
Oscar Castellano said, "I am happy and satisfied that my items have been returned. I am happy that the government out in money for police and they are doing a good job. I am saddened that the officers got hurt but I am glad that nothing really bad happened to them.
I am glad I got it all back, my laptops and jewelry."
Castellano said he had lived in the same apartment at 2401 N.W. 14th Ave. for the past 19 years and had never been burglarized before.
