SOUTHWEST MIAMI-DADE, FLA. (WSVN) - A home burglary in Southwest Miami-Dade turned violent when a suspect pulled out a gun and fired at the homeowner, Monday afternoon.
According to police, two armed burglars targeted a home located along Southwest 285th Terrace.
The two men broke into the home through a back window and ransacked the house. Homeowner Filon Ortix, who arrived moments later, believes the two men were in his home for approximately 10 minutes before they fled on foot.
However, Ortix did not want to let the suspects get away. “I went to Lowe’s, and I came back and saw the door open,” said Ortix. “When I got here, they were leaving my house. I tried to grab them, but they left.”
As the homeowner chased down the burglars, one of the men started shooting at him. Ortix was just inches away from being hit. “When I found them over there, I tried to grab them, and that’s when they pulled a gun at me and fired at me,” he said.
“I just heard eight gunshots,” said a nearby witness.
Ortix showed 7News one bullet hole in the side of his car but said it was only one of seven they shot at him.
Ortix’s stepson, Joe Cerna, said the burglars were lucky he wasn’t there. “They’re lucky I didn’t get there before them, because I carry,” said Cerna. “I would’ve shot them.”
Miami-Dade Police set up a perimeter and used K-9 officers as well as their SWAT team in an attempt to track down the burglars, but the two men got away. One neighbor said his security camera footage showed the suspects, but police have not released the video as yet.
For now, Cerna is just relieved to know his stepfather is OK. “I mean, if somebody takes your stuff, you’re going to fight for it, you know. You’re not going to put your arms down and be like, ‘Oh, all right.”‘
Police are asking for the public’s help in locating the two suspects. If you have any information on this home burglary, please 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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