SOUTHWEST MIAMI-DADE, FLA. (WSVN) - Miami-Dade Police have arrested a man after, they said, he led police on a chase in a stolen car, near Dadeland Mall. At one point, at least one officer shot at the subject’s vehicle, but no one was struck.
The man behind the wheel of the car was later identified as 20-year-old Raziel Binelo, who now faces charges including aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer and eluding police.
Miami-Dade Police responded to the scene in the area of Southwest 72nd Avenue and 82nd Street, just north of the shopping center, Monday at around 7:15 p.m.
7News cameras captured young trick-or-treaters nearby, including a little girl in a police officer costume. “I turned the corner, and I saw the car there with all the police surrounding it,” said the child’s mother. “I was concerned about what she might see inside, so we just walked the other way.”
According to investigators, police tracked a stolen, dark colored, four door Cadillac sedan to a condo complex just north of the mall. Police said the driver then led officers on a chase.
“They [police] attempted to stop the vehicle, and that’s when the vehicle refused to stop,” said Miami-Dade Police detective Alvaro Zabaleta.
He eventually came to a dead end but was still not ready to give himself up, said Zabaleta. “That’s when the subject, at that point, put the vehicle in reverse in an attempt to try and get away, striking two other vehicles that were parked in that vehicle. Then, shots were fired,” he said.
At least one of the officers fired at the Cadillac. However, no one was hit.
Investigators said the car then crashed about two blocks away, near Southwest 84th Street and 72nd Court, Binelo took off on foot.
One neighbor told 7News she spotted the driver from her balcony and alerted police. “I told police where he was, and I pointed to where he was, and they got him,” she said.
Officers blocked off the area as they tried to piece together what happened. Police said their main concern was the safety of the children who were out and about so close to where shots were fired.
“This is Halloween. Our primary concern was the safety of our residents,” said Miami-Dade Police Detective Alvaro Zabaleta. “Of course, what comes to our minds when it comes to this type of stuff is children in the area. Luckily, everything worked out in our favor.”
One family told 7News they were out trick or treating but were unable to go home because their street was blocked off.
Crime scene investigators remained at the scene as they continued to search for clues. The Cadillac was towed away from the scene, just after 11 p.m.
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