SOUTH MIAMI-DADE, FLA. (WSVN) - Local and federal law enforcement officers banded together for a massive crime crackdown in South Miami-Dade, early Wednesday morning.
Law enforcers inside armored trucks drove under the cover of darkness into the Cutler Manor Apartments, near Southwest 126th Street, in the South Miami-Dade neighborhood of Goulds.
Officials from multiple agencies, including Miami-Dade Police and the FBI, arrested 25 men and women in their takedown of the Yellow Tape Gang, a gang police said has been very dangerous to South Floridians. “Yellow Tape Gang. That says it all,” said Miami-Dade Police Director Juan Perez. “If you take the name ‘Yellow Tape,’ you might as well say ‘I’m a murderer of gangs.’ That’s how dangerous they are.”
Major police operation in Cutler Bay – 25 arrests and cops say they've taken down gang called "Yellow Tape." @wsvn pic.twitter.com/my8UpIkoxi
— Brian Entin (@BrianEntin) June 29, 2016
Those taken into custody are facing charges ranging from burglary to murder. Police described these individuals as the worst of the worst.
Officials said it took six months of planning to arrest Yellow Tape gang members in what they called “Operation Bad Manors.”
Five guns were confiscated during the arrests, as well.
Eighty-six-year-old Hattie Musgrove, who lives in Cutler Manor, said she’s relieved by the multiple arrests. “I’m glad they got them out of here, far from my house,” she said. “They’re shooting up and killing people.”
The flowery lime green welcome banners at the entrance of the apartment complex may make it look inviting, but police said this was the hub of activity for this particular gang.
Musgrove said it’s so dangerous that most days she has to hide in her apartment. “I’m scared to stay, but I ain’t got no place else to go, so I have to stay where I can pay rent,” she said.
The senior citizen told 7News someone murdered her 16-year-old nephew. Police said he was one of many killings in the complex.
Officials said the gang began small in numbers, with various youth forming a clique and eventually growing into a crime enterprise.
Police said one of the biggest challenges for undercover officers taking part in “Operation Bad Manors” was that there is only one way in and one way out of the complex. They said gang members would keep an eye on the area, making it even more dangerous for officers.
Officials said they hope “Bad Manors” has put a big dent in Cutler Manors’ gang. “Cutler Manors has been an ulcer in this community for a long time,” said Miami-Dade County State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle.
Musgrove said she’s hopeful the operation will lead to a safer environment. “It ain’t good, sure ain’t good, ’cause I be scared to come out of the house.”
Many of those arrested could face federal charges.
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