“Tenacity and a sense of teamwork” described the work of Miami-Dae Police Kendall District Officer Manuel Castineira (center), Officer of the Month for February, following his arrest of a suspect two days after a Jan. 25 death in the 13000 block of Jefferson St. in Richmond Heights. Drawing his weapon after spotting a suspect trying to hide in a car at the shooting address two nights later, Officer Castineira approached the vehicle and later handcuffed its driver after finding a loaded firearm on the floorboard behind the driver’s seat along with a clear baggy of crack cocaine. The suspect’s substantial criminal history included convictions on drug possession, armed robbery and armed burglary. Citing Officer Castineira’s efficiency during a Kendall Citizens Advisory Committee meeting on Mar. 26 were CAC chair Barry White (left) and Capt. John Webb (right).
