PALMETTO BAY, Fla. (WSVN) – Police are searching for a man suspected of burglarizing and vandalizing the Palmetto Bay Village Hall.
The office of Palmetto Bay Mayor Karyn Cunningham issued a press release asking for the public’s help in locating 38-year-old Holdson Marcelin.
Marcelin was said to be caught on camera committing the crimes early Thursday morning at the Village Hall located near Hibiscus Street and South Dixie Highway.
“It almost seemed like some kind of rage,” said Cunningham.
Police said Marcelin broke into the building through the front door and created a big mess inside by ripping TVs off the walls, flipping desks over and moving paperwork all around.
“If there is something that has been taken, it would likely be a couple of days before they could figure that out,” said Cunningham, “but at a glance, as you look around, based on what you said, it appears more in keeping with someone just set on ripping things apart as opposed to looking for — because there’s plenty of electronics and all kinds of things that could have been stolen, but instead they were just destroyed.”
Cunningham said Marcelin was previously arrested by Village of Palmetto Bay Police in March.
Officials warn the public that he is considered armed and dangerous.
The Village Hall has since been closed while the scene is cleared and the mess is cleaned up. Residents were turned away from the scene.
“I’m here to renew my business tax license. It’s an inconvenience. I had a day today, and it didn’t work out,” said a resident in the area.
The Village Hall is expected to reopen Friday. However, the Building and Permitting Division, which was the most affected department in the building, will remain closed until Monday.
If you have any information on Marcelin’s 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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