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Home My Public Portal AboutLTC 080-2022 - Arrest 5.13.22 revBAL HARBOUR - VILLAGE - OFFICE OF THE VILLAGE MANAGER LETTER TO COUNCIL NO. 080-2022 To: Mayor Gabriel Groisman and Members of the Village Council From: Jorge M. Gonzalez, Village Manag Date: May 13, 2022 Subject: Follow Up to BHPD Case No. 21-1168 The purpose of this Letter to Council (LTC) is to provide you with an update on Bal Harbour Police Department (BHPD) Case No. 21-1168. As you may recall, on September 6, 2021, BHPD Marine Patrol Units attempted an interdiction of a speeding boat on the Intercoastal Waterways when the offending boat captain increased speed and fled. Marine Patrol followed and watched as the fleeing vessel crashed against the Bal Harbour seawall. Four occupants fled from the boat, and responding officers established a perimeter and apprehended two of the four suspects. These two suspects were later determined to be two undocumented aliens. Further investigation revealed the suspects' vessel carried large quantities of drugs. Moreover, residents from the 100 Block of Bal Cross Drive discovered their residence burglarized. Officers responded and linked the burglary to the drug interdiction event. Preliminary investigations suggested the suspects who fled from the vessel may have evaded police by hiding inside the burgled residence. BHPD Criminal Investigations has continued working with Homeland Security in this investigation, in order to identify the two remaining subjects. Through DNA evidence linked to water bottles in the attic of the burglarized home, Homeland Security Investigators were able to identify and arrest the driver of the boat. The subject is now charged with federal drug and smuggling charges. BHPD secured an arrest warrant for this subject in order to add the burglary to the list of charges, and will continue to work with law enforcement partners in order apprehend the remaining subject at large in this case. If you have any additional questions, please feel free to contact me or Chief Flowers at 305- 866-5000. JMG/RMF/ME/DM