CORAL GABLES, FLA. (WSVN) - After an hourslong manhunt, police arrested a young man who, they said, broke down the door of a home in Coral Gables along with another subject, then took off running when the homeowner confronted them with a gun.
Coral Gables Police responded to calls of shots fired along the 4900 block of Orduna Drive, just after 9:45 a.m., Saturday.
The homeowner said the subjects knocked on his door, and when he didn’t answer, the would-be intruders left.
However, a short time later, the victim said, the duo returned, but this time they broke down the front door.
The subjects then came face-to-face with the homeowner, who pointed a gun at them.
“The homeowner confronted the individuals in the doorway, shots were fired,” said Coral Gables Police Chief Edward Hudak.
The homeowner said he fired two shots to scare them away.
Police said one of the perpetrators ran toward a car and jumped in the driver’s seat, but the other one did not get in.
“Both fled in different directions, one northbound and one southbound on Orduna,” said Coral Gables Police Officer Kelly Denham. “The vehicle fled southbound, the subject ran northbound.”
Residents of the upscale community where the attempted burglary took place were shocked to hear about the incident.
“I find it petrifying, like, this whole situation,” said a woman who lives nearby.
Police said the subject was later spotted near the Riviera Country Club a few blocks away, forcing police to set up a perimeter of up to eight blocks and use their K-9s and SWAT team. Miami-Dade Police assisted in the search.
“We immediately established a perimeter around the last known location,” said Denham. “The subject was later spotted traveling north, so we moved the perimeter north to Blue Road.”
“One of the officers saw him run toward the golf course. At that point, we moved the perimeter. We shut down the golf course,” said Hudak.
The homeowner said he’s unsure whether or not the teen was armed.
Investigators advised nearby residents to remain indoors during the search.
Just before 6:45 p.m., police said, K-9 officers located the subject who had fled on foot along the 4100 block of University Drive.
“The subject tried to break from the dog, back to the perimeter, into the waiting arms of our police officers,” said Hudak. “He was apprehended without incident by the patrol officers in the perimeter.”
He was identified as 22-year-old Nicolas Dar Desrosier. He has been charged with occupied burglary and resisting an officer without violence.
His accomplice, however, remains at large. The vehicle he was driving is a 2017 or 2018 Nissan Altima.
“We’re still looking for that white car. It may have some bullet holes in it,” said Hudak.
Desrosier was taken to Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center for processing.
Police said Desrosier could be linked to several other residential burglaries in Coral Gables and surrounding areas.
“Our detectives believe this individual and the other gentleman that got away — I use the term loosely — were responsible for other burglaries in our city,” said Hudak.
If you have any information that could help police, 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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