CORAL GABLES, FLA. (WSVN) - Police are investigating after an SUV was stolen in Coral Gables and later found at the Shops at Merrick Park.
Coral Gables Police said the white Chevrolet Equinox SUV was stolen along Miracle Mile near Salzedo Street, at around 4:30 p.m., Monday.
Detectives said the vehicle was later ditched near the popular upscale mall.
“They found the vehicle in front of the parking garage and no occupants inside,” Coral Gables Police Sgt. Tom Salcedo said.
Investigators said a 911 caller reported that a thief took off in his SUV. Around 15 minutes later, police found the vehicle about a mile-and-a-half away at the entrance of a parking garage along the 100 block of San Lorenzo Avenue.
Cellphone video of the scene showed several officers walking around and investigating near the vehicle.
Police then surrounded the building while they searched for the thief.
“It was across the street of the shopping center, so it was a parking garage, and it was a lot easier to contain that area, so units were there, they searched the whole building and met with negative results,” Salcedo said.
Because of the close proximity to the shopping center, stores on the east side of the mall were asked to keep people inside while police searched the area.
A 7News viewer took a photo from inside the Nordstrom showing the blinds down.
After about an hour, police reopened the area while forensic experts took pictures of the stolen SUV and dusted for prints. Detectives then canvassed the area for surveillance video.
The victim was then taken to police headquarters for an interview.
After hours of interviewing the victim, detectives classified the incident as grand theft.
If you have any information on this theft, 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.
Copyright 2024 Sunbeam Television Corp. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.