Police Canvass Flagami For Info On Burglary Suspect
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MIAMI (CBSMiami) - Miami police took to the streets to catch a serial burglar who has been quite busy in one particular community.
They believe he has broken in to as many as 14 homes in the past year while people are sleeping.
Many victims are elderly and have been terrified. Police say in one instance, one victim woke up to find the burglar standing by her bed. He fled when she tried to call police.
Police say another victim was asleep on her sofa when she was awakened by the discovery of the suspect standing near her. He also fled.
Detectives say the suspect is a Latin male, about 5'4" to 5'8" tall and around 150 pounds. He is seen in the composite sketch wearing a hoodie.
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Miami Police Chief Rodolfo Llanes told CBS4's Peter D'Oench that he worries the crimes committed by the burglar will escalate.
Llanes told D'Oench, "The major concern is we have identified a serial burglar who enters occupied dwellings at night. He enters while people are at home. So far we have not had any sexual batteries but we are worried it may escalate to that.
"I would like people to be aware that we have this person out there and that they should take special precautions. I would also like them to be involved and call police if there's a suspicious subject that fits the description so we can respond quickly and effect an arrest."
Llanes said the crimes have been committed over two square-mile area. He said he is not sure what has been prompting the suspect to break in to so many homes. Llanes said the thief has stolen some items.
On Thursday, around 6:30 p.m., police officers along with members of the community will meet at Kinlock Park. From there they will fan out across the Flagami area, armed with a composite sketch of the burglary suspect, in hopes of generating new information so that he can be caught before he strikes again.
Police believe the same man is responsible for as many as 14 burglaries which occurred, between 27th Avenue and 47th Avenue, from West Flagler to N.W. 11th streets. The earliest known incident occurred in April of 2014. The most recent incident occurred on May 12, 2015. The burglaries usually happen in the early morning hours before sunrise.
"There are case similarities in about 14 incidents over the last year. We're trying to decide whether this individual is the same individual but the MO is the same case in the 14 cases," said Llanes.
Mabel Lopez stopped at her cousin's home off Northwest 47th Ave. and said, "It's not safe anymore. It is not safe for my cousin. She ususally leaves her door open and now she can't be doing that. If this person is capable of doing that he is capable of doing anything else that he desires. It could escalate to murder.
God forbid he goes in to a home and the people are ready and willing to confront him, there could be a murder."
Neighbor Rocky Hidalgo said, "I think this is really bad. I wish they get him quick."
"We're all worried. Everybody is locking their doors, changing their locks," said area resident Barbara Perez. "We're keeping an eye out, seeing if there's anybody suspicious we're told to call in."
She said two of her neighbors were victims.
Last month, CBS4 was at the apartment complex after a woman reported finding a man inside her home in the middle of the night. She said he attempted to sexually assault her and said he tried to touch her inappropriately.
"He was on my bed," said the woman who did not want to be identified. "He told me to stop screaming and I asked him not to kill me."
In another instance, a woman woke to find the burglar standing near her. He took off as she screamed for help.
In at least one of the burglaries, the woman was attacked before he left the residence.
Anyone with information on the burglary suspect is asked to call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at (305) 471-TIPS (8477) or 1 (866) 471-8477.
They can also visit www.crimestoppersmiami.com and select "Give a Tip" or send a text message to 274637. Enter CSMD followed by the tip information and press send.
Anyone with information can also contact the City of Miami Police Burglary Unit at (305) 603-6030.
