NORTHWEST MIAMI-DADE, FLA. (WSVN) - Police have made an arrest after a young boy was kidnapped, sexually assaulted and shot in Northwest Miami-Dade.
Officials arrested 43-year-old Aliex Santiesteban at around 3 a.m., Tuesday.
The boy told police he left home to visit a friend.
“That’s the face of evil right there, ladies and gentlemen,” said Miami-Dade Police Director Freddy Ramirez. “I’m proud of the swift work by our detectives and lab personnel for ridding our community of this despicable criminal. This is a reminder to parents and children to always be vigilant because, unfortunately in this world, there are evil people who will not hesitate to harm children.”
Surveillance video shows the 12-year-old child being led to a convenience store for help after he was abducted, sexually assaulted, shot in the face and dumped at Northwest 45th Street and 31st Avenue.
Two days later, police made an arrest.
“Seeing the evidence, we were able to put the subject with the victim, so we definitely have the evidence that is compelling as well as other physical evidence,” said Special Victims Bureau Major Brian Rafky. “We know the subject was in the area, due to good old-fashioned police work.”
Santiesteban was arrested Monday night after two days of news reports of the violent crime.
He denies the charges brought against him, but now there’s a twist.
A neighbor shared a video he gave to police showing a dark sedan on Northwest 31st Avenue near 45th Street at 2:38 a.m. on Saturday morning.
Nearly 90 minutes later, Santiesteban showed up in Miami Beach to tell police there that he was a victim of an armed robbery. He was on the 600 block of 10th Street and couldn’t describe his attacker or where he was attacked.
A Miami Beach Police spokesperson said he was taken to Mount Sinai Medical Center to be treated for an unspecified injury.
Cell phone video shared by a 7News viewer showed Santiesteban’s car being towed away and investigators taking pictures of a gun.
The suspect was taken into custody outside of Island Living Apartments at Northwest 12th Street near Third Avenue.
On Tuesday morning, he made his first court appearance.
Police said Santiesteban has a criminal history but wouldn’t elaborate.
Santiesteban was charged with attempted murder, sexual battery with a deadly weapon and kidnapping a child under the age of 13.
“I believe this individual poses a great danger to children and our community,” said Judge Judith Rubenstein.
The 12-year-old boy is still in the hospital receiving treatment.
Santiesteban is being held without bond. According to police, the only thing he could say is he didn’t do it.
Investigators said there could be other victims of Santiesteban. They ask those who may know of any other victims to call police or Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a $3,000 reward.
Copyright 2025 Sunbeam Television Corp. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.