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Congratulations to Officer Julio Gonzalez, recipient of the City of Coral Gables “Officer of the Month,” for February 2024.
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On February 17, 2024, at approximately 12:10 AM, Officer J. Gonzalez was on routine patrol and observed two males walking northbound on the west sidewalk of the 3900-B 1k of Lejeune Rd. Officer Gonzalez observed the two males jay walking across Lejeune Rd on to the east sidewalk and continue on foot to the 300-Blk of Candia Av. At the same time, a witness approached Officer Gonzalez’ marked patrol vehicle stating he was concerned the males walking by his house would commit criminal activity because there have been recent incidents of break- ins into vehicles in that same block.
Officer Gonzalez maintained visual of the two males and observed them walking eastbound on Candia Av. The males were seen concealing themselves behind a tree on the 200-BIk of Candia Av after they saw his marked patrol vehicle # (370). The males stayed behind the tree for a short period of time waiting for Officer Gonzalez’ marked patrol unit to leave the area. The males then proceeded to continue walking eastbound on Candia Av toward the 3900-Blk of Ponce de Leon Blvd where Officer Gonzalez detained both males. The males were later identified as juveniles who were in violation of curfew ordinance. The juveniles were read Miranda Warnings per card, and they invoked their rights. The males did not dispel the officer’s alarm and concerns for safety of persons or property in the vicinity. Both juvenile offenders were charged with Loitering and Prowling. Ofc. J. Gonzalez maintained visual of both subjects and advised over CGPD Main of his findings leading to the apprehension of two known subjects to CGPD.
These juvenile offenders are linked to CGPD Case #23008177 in the City of Coral Gables. On 12/11/2023 the two males arrived with two other female subjects in a stolen vehicle. All four subjects were arrested after a perimeter was set up in the north end sector (Zone 2) for Grand Theft Auto and Burglary to Conveyance. One of the juveniles was on probation for the 2023 case.