HomeMy Public PortalAboutLTC 157-2022 Investigation UpdateBAL HARBOUR
- V I L LAG E -
OFFICE OF THE VILLAGE MANAGER LETTER TO COUNCIL
NO. 157-2022
TO! Mayor Gabriel Groisman and Members of the Village Council
FROM: Jorge M. Gonzalez, Village Manager �A`6'
DATE: October 7, 2022
SUBJECT: Update on Investigation in the Gated Community
The purpose of this Letter to Council (LTC) is to provide you with an update on a recent
investigation in the Gated Community, regarding a vehicle burglary and automobile theft.
As you are aware, in the early morning hours of October 1, 2022, two males were observed
by a personal security guard inside a resident's vehicle. The personal security guard
responded to the Kent Security guard house, who in turn notified police of two suspicious
males in the Gated Community.
Unfortunately, the Kent Security guard provided the police dispatcher with the wrong
address, causing the officers to respond to a location on the opposite end of the incident
location. As officers were canvassing the area of the dispatch location, the two males,
which had now stolen a vehicle from a different residence, approached the front gate and
exited through the entrance once confronted by the Kent Security guard.
Once police officers identified the incident location of the vehicle theft, we immediately
began proactive efforts to locate the vehicle and apprehend the perpetrators involved. Bal
Harbour Police Detectives were summoned, Bal Harbour officers conducted a door-to-
door canvass in the immediate area contacting residents to determine if there were
additional victims.
Police staff worked with the representative for the owner of the stolen vehicle to obtain
very critical information that assisted in tracking and recovering the stolen vehicle. It
should be noted that the vehicle was located and available to be released within 2 hours
from when the victim contacted police. Detective Gonzalez located the key fob inside the
vehicle after it was recovered and later released it to the owner's representative.
Meanwhile, the responding officers located the subject's vehicle parked to the rear of a
west side condominium, where it is believed the perpetrators scaled the rear wall of the
property to enter the Gated Community. The vehicle was sealed for evidentiary purposes,
and a search warrant was submitted and subsequently approved. City of Miami Beach
Police Crime Scene will be assisting with the processing of the vehicle. Additional evidence
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LTC No. 157-2022
Update on Investigation in the Gated Community
discovered at the vehicle burglary scene left by the perpetrators, including vehicle keys
and cellphone, were impounded. An additional search warrant was secured and the U.S.
Secret Service will be forensically processing the phone for evidence linked to this case.
Additionally, the Bal Harbour Police Department has been in constant communication with
the Broward Sheriff's Office Auto Theft Taskforce Detectives, as the stolen vehicle was
recovered in an area known for this type of activity.
The Bal Harbour Police Department continues to collaborate with the Bal Harbour Civic
Association, identifying and recommending security enhancements in the Gated
Community.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Chief Flowers or myself directly.
JMG/RMF/ME/DM