MIAMI BEACH, FLA. (WSVN) - South Beach’s final spring break weekend of the season got off to a violent start after a man was stabbed on a busy street and a police motorman was struck by a motorcyclist.
Cellphone video captured Miami Beach Police officers breaking up a chaotic scene at 15th Street and Collins Avenue after, investigators said, a man was stabbed at around 12:30 a.m., Saturday.
Officials said a man and a woman believed to be the subjects left the scene after the stabbing.
Paramedics transported the victim to Ryder Trauma Center in unknown condition.
Hours earlier, officials said a motorcyclist riding against traffic truck Miami Beach Police Motor Sgt. Phil Elmore while trying to flee from another officer near Collins Avenue and Seventh Street, Friday afternoon.
Police later identified the motorcyclist as 40-year-old Garrett Flores. Cellphone video shows two officers punching the suspect as they took him into custody.
Elmore was taken to Ryder Trauma Center and is expected to be OK. He has since been released.
“He’s obviously in a lot of discomfort, but we expect him to make a full recovery,” said Miami Beach Police Chief Dan Oates.
Flores, meanwhile, faces seven charges, including aggravated battery of a law enforcement officer, possession of cocaine and reckless driving.
“His behavior was outrageous, and he ran his motorcycle into a police officer,” said Oates, “and I hope he pays a heavy price for that.”
Meanwhile, revelers continued to descend on South Beach, Saturday,
“Miami Beach is the place to go,” said Corey Gomez, who is visiting from Massachusetts. “You have to go to Miami Beach when going on spring break. Everyone knows that.”
“It’s lit! This is where the party is,” said Vonney Meshel, who is visiting from Valdosta, Georgia.
To keep up with the crowds, 80 more Miami Beach Police officers are patrolling South Beach, with 70 from other agencies providing backup, officials said, all in an effort to prevent the widely documented mayhem that went down the previous weekend.
But even Miami Beach’s finest know how to let loose. Cameras captured an officer spinning beats for spring break beachgoers, letting them know that they can have fun and follow the law at the same time.
On the sand, officers checked bags at tents set up at entrance points to ensure no one brings alcohol to the beach, as they work to ensure residents and visitors alike remain safe this weekend.
A zero tolerance policy is currently being enforced for open containers and marijuana.
“I feel like it will help maintain a certain behavior, so that you can just have fun,” said Nicole Davis, who is also visiting from Valdosta, “versus the drugs or the fights, shootings, things like that.”
In an effort to keep things more controlled, Collins Avenue is blocked off to street parking between Fifth and 15th streets, and Ocean Drive remains pedestrian only until early Monday morning.
Oates had the following message for those wanting to soak in the last days of spring break.
“If you’re going to enjoy our town, do so responsibly,” he said.
Flores has since bonded out of jail.
For more information, about road closures and additional spring break measures in Miami Beach, click here.
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