Update on the assault on Matilda Street

This in from Commander Richard Gentry, regarding the assault last week on Matilda Street:

Detectives from the Miami Police Department's Special Victims Unit responded and investigated this incident and subsequently arrested the subject, (Gary Arroliga, D.O.B 4/5/87) for Armed Robbery, Armed Sexual Battery, False Imprisonment and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.  (Court case # F12021185)

This subject is a convicted felon, "Signal 200" and does not reside in Coconut Grove. The weapon he utilized during this crime was a BB gun. 

Lieutenant Vincent Laricci, Commander of our Special Victims Unit advised that since this subject was in possession of a BB Gun and not a firearm during this incident, they were unable to present this case for Federal charges.  Since a BB Gun is not classified as a firearm per Florida State Statute, this case was forwarded to the Dade County State Attorney's Office for prosecution and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

This was an isolated incident and a cowardly act committed by this convicted felon.   

This convicted felon was out on Felony Bond due to an open case regarding a Battery on a Law Enforcement Officer, Resisting arrest with violence and Escape that occurred in May of 2012.  (Court case # F12011065)

Just so you know, there were two (2) Miami Police marked units from the midnight shift in the area of the Business District from 4:00 am to 6:00 am on the day of this incident. One of the units was at Grand & 32 Avenue and the other unit was near McFarlane and Main Hwy.  Both of the officers immediately responded to the area and arrived in seconds of the dispatched call to assist the Coral Gables Police Department with locating a missing female.  During this time, the Miami Police Department was unaware and did not have any knowledge of any potential crime when responding to assist the Coral 

Gables Police Department who was already on the scene.   The male victim who went for assistance drove to Coral Gables and notified them of a missing person and did not make reference to any details regarding a crime.  

Due to the keen sense of alertness from the two midnight officers (Officer Guerra and Officer Grass) from the Miami Police Department, they were able to locate the victim and ensure her safety and take the subject into custody at gunpoint without further incident.   I will be writing a commendation commending both of them for their due diligence and a job well done that resulted in the apprehension of this convicted felon who committed this cowardly act. 

The Miami Police Department takes the safety of all citizens as our # 1 priority and our daily efforts will continue with our due diligence with curtailing crime and promoting a safe community.

In an effort for us as a team to effectively and efficiently combat crime, we need all of our citizens to call 911 (Emergency) or (305) 579-6111 (Non-Emergency) for all suspicious persons or vehicles that are in our community who may be in the area to commit crimes.  Always trust your instincts and judgment.