NORTH MIAMI-DADE, FLA. (WSVN) - Burglars shot at a neighbor who caught them breaking into a Miami Police officer’s car.
The confrontation happened at around 4:30 a.m. Wednesday outside of a home in the area of Northwest 140th Street and Fifth Avenue in North Miami-Dade.
The crooks shattered the window of the car, but there was film that blocked part of their entry into the vehicle. They pulled back the film and took a flashlight.
Jean Modlyn, a neighbor living two doors down from the officer, was driving past the home when he saw the two burglars. Modlyn could then be seen on surveillance video backing up.
The subjects opened fire towards Modlyn while fleeing on foot, and several bullets hit his SUV. Modlyn was not hit.
Police said at least 15 shots were fired in the shooting. The gunshots were captured by a nearby surveillance video camera.
The officer’s wife, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said she and her husband immediately checked their cameras.
“It made me glad that we invested so much money on our security system,” she said. They knew they were getting videoed, and they still did it. We heard like 15 gunshots — 14 or 15. I couldn’t count. We were just steps away sleeping. That’s the worst part.”
Modlyn pointed out three bullet holes on his car. Although he is left with a list of repairs, Modlyn said he is thankful that he was not even grazed by the flying bullets.
“One bullet over there, another one … he tried to kill me,” Modlyn said. “I don’t know … that’s for nothing. I said, ‘Thank you, God, I don’t die.'”
The officer’s wife said she remains grateful for her neighbor’s actions and glad that he is OK.
“I’m grateful that we have people that are always attentive with each other, and he made sure — this was not even his house — and he didn’t like what he saw, so you know, we appreciate that,” she said.
The suspects dropped the flashlight they took while they fled, and police found it in another neighbor’s yard.
If you have any information on the burglars and their whereabouts, call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a $1,000 reward.
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