Packaged deliveries totaling over $10,000 were recovered by a special unit of Miami-Dade Police Hammocks District in December.
A pre-holiday surveillance step-up saw five police officers nab a two-man robbery crew soon after Dec. 2, according to Maj. Arnold Palmer, district commander. Much of the stolen property was recovered.
“There were an abundance of thefts starting Dec. 2 involving delivery of packages to residences in the area,” Maj. Palmer said.
“Subjects would follow Federal Express and United Parcel Service trucks while they delivered packages.
“Once dropped off in front of a residence, the offenders would take the packages and flee the scene,” he added.
After identifying a vehicle license tag earlier involved with a theft that led to a SW 78th Street address, officers began a special surveillance for a traffic stop on eastbound SW 160th Street, and detention of the driver and companion for investigation.
Confessions later taped at Hammocks District station resulted in the admission of the theft of a package from a residence in the 3300 block of SW 140th Avenue. Escorted to the suspects’ residence, the Hammocks officers were able to recover more than $10,000 in stolen property from the pair to return to victims of multiple incidents.
“In addition, they confessed to 15 similar thefts throughout the Hammocks District,” Maj. Palmer said.
Officers comprising the team effort included Sgt. Michael Landestroy, Officers Romelo Martinez, Nicholas Pauzuolis, Alejandro Vazquez and Kembrut Vidal. Each was awarded a citation as “Officer of the Month” for December 2013.
JAMES BLOUGH REELECTED; CAC TO MEET ON FEB. 26
Hammocks District Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) chair James Blough, who honored the five officers during the Jan. 27 meeting, was reelected to the post.
Free and open to the public, the informative CAC sessions are held at 7:30 p.m. on the fourth Wednesday of each month at Hammocks District Station, 10000 SW 142 Ave.
The next CAC meeting is scheduled at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 26, when Patricia Abaroa, recruitment coordinator, will describe the Guardian ad Litem program. An MDPD detective is scheduled to address the CAC on drug and narcotics issues, Mar. 26.
“We welcome everyone to our meetings to help support our policing efforts and through expert speakers, learn how the MDPD force continues to combat crime throughout the area,” Blough said. Membership is free, open to all Kendall residents, he added. For updates on meeting schedules, contact Blough at <jblough@bbdins.com> or call 305-383- 6899.
