WEST MIAMI-DADE, FLA. (WSVN) - Police arrested a woman after, they said, she broke into 10 personal vehicles belonging to City of Miami firefighters and stole valuables, including firearms.
According to investigators, 18-year-old Chelsea Velez broke into the vehicles parked overnight at the Miami Fire Rescue Station 9, located at 69 NE 62 St. in Miami’s Little Haiti neighborhood, Wednesday.
Officials said they received the call about the thefts just before 7 a.m. “We found this unimaginable incident that took place,” said Miami Fire Rescue Capt. Ignatius Carroll.
7News cameras captured crime scene investigators dusting for fingerprints and collecting clues at the scene.
Investigators said, while the car owners were at work, thieves made their way into the gated lot and stole wallets, cellphones and other electronics. According to the police report, firefighters reported three guns missing.
“It’s disheartening to see that men and women that work alongside police, that had just finished their tour of duty, were also victimized,” said Miami Police Officer Kenia Fallat.
Hours later, detectives were able to track down Velez because she used one of the firefighters’ credit cards to order items online. Officials said she charged nearly $580 to one of the cards.
Investigators said one of the firefighters got a tip from his credit union about the online transactions, which led detectives to Everything Lovely, a clothing store along Northeast 79th Street in Miami.
Police said Velez had entered her real address, along Northeast 80th Terrace, when she made the online purchases.
Officials said one of the firefighters got a tip from his credit union about the online transactions, estimated at nearly $580.
Officers found Velez inside her home, less than two miles away from the Little Haiti fire station, Wednesday evening, along with the stolen valuables, including two of the guns.
“We’re talking about 30 or 40 police officers over here,” said Velez’s grandfather. “They handcuffed her and then took her away.”
Police also recovered credit cards, cameras, cellphones and a tablet. “The crews are relieved,” said Carroll. “We applaud the City of Miami Police Department for being so diligent and really working very quickly.”
Investigators said Velez admitted she was at the station earlier on Wednesday but denied committing the crimes. Records show she had been arrested June 9 for grand theft.
Police said some of the items they found at her home may be connected to other crimes. “Not just several of the items that were stolen from these firefighters, but others belonging to people that possibly were victimized within the City of Miami and possibly Miami-Dade County area as well,” said Fallat.
Velez faces several charges including grand theft, burglary, criminal mischief and credit card fraud. She is being held at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center.
Police said more people may be charged in the break-ins. “We’re not closing the case just yet. This investigation is open and ongoing,” said Fallat.
If you have any information on these thefts that could help investigators, 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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