EL PORTAL, FLA. (WSVN) - Police seek the public’s help in their search for a man who, they said, burglarized a home in El Portal, then shot at police officers who were in pursuit.
According to police, they received a 911 call at around 3:30 a.m. on Friday from the owners of a home along Northeast Third Avenue and 87th Street after, they said, their Ring camera notified them someone was outside their house.
Police said the crook took a generator and some other items and loaded them into his truck.
When officers responded to the home, the burglar drove away, leading police on a chase.
Authorities said he then fired shots at them.
“The pursuit continued up Northeast Second Avenue and comes around on 79th Street. At that point, the officers see and hear a gunshot discharged from the car,” said El Portal Police Lt. Alejandro Mendez.
Soon after, police said, the subject bailed out of the truck, as the vehicle kept rolling down the street.
Officers continued to chase after the man, but he jumped two fences and was able to evade them.
“There’s a short foot pursuit, he jumps two fences. At that point, they lose him,” Mendez said.
Police are asking the community to stay vigilant.
“We’ve had occasions here where the burglaries occurred, and we pursue and we make the arrests,” Mendez said. “On this one, the shot was completely out of the norm.”
Police had taken a man into custody, but he was released after it was determined he was not the suspect.
The truck has since been towed from the scene.
Police urge area residents to be extra cautious.
“I’m definitely going to take everything out of my car that might be of value and make sure everything is locked like usual,” said Dakota Bybee, who lives nearby.
Police are also asking area residents for surveillance video that might have captured the burglar.
“If you have video, if you have Ring video you think might have picked up a white pickup in the area or subject at that time, about 3:30 in the morning in the immediate area, we could use that for the investigation,” Mendez said.
If you have any information on the subject’s whereabouts, call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a reward of up to $5,000.
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