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Congratulations to Officer Alexander Rodriguez, recipient of the City of Coral Gables “Officer of the Month,” for the month of August 2025.
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On August 22, 2025, at approximately 0811 hours, Officer Alexander Rodriguez was on patrol when CGPD dispatch advised of a stolen vehicle that just occurred from the 6000 Block of Mall St. The resident described his car as a grey Cadillac Escalade, which was taken by two suspects as he came outside his home. Officer A. Rodriguez immediately headed to US1 where he observed a grey Cadillac Escalade turning from northbound Granada Blvd onto eastbound US1. Ofc. A. Rodriguez relayed his observations over the radio and tried to catch up to the Cadillac. The Cadillac began to accelerate through traffic before going eastbound in the westbound lanes as it neared Riviera Dr. The vehicle then reentered the correct eastbound lanes, weaving in and out of traffic. Unbeknownst to Ofc. A. Rodriguez, there was also a white BMW directly in front of the Cadillac that was being driven by additional subjects. The Cadillac was following the BMW as it maneuvered through traffic.
As the two vehicles approached Lejeune Rd, they rammed several civilian vehicles before driving over the center median to again go eastbound in the westbound lanes. They both turned northbound on Lejeune Rd with the BMW peeling off into the Mobil Gas station. Ofc. A. Rodriguez lost sight of the vehicle but because he was able to give clear descriptions of the vehicle and their direction of travel, other officers were able to pick up and continued to advise dispatch of the officers’ locations until the Cadillac came to a stop and the driver and his passenger ran from the vehicle. Ofc. A. Rodriguez pursued the passenger on foot until he jumped a fence and other units quickly arrived and established a perimeter. A Command Post was established along with on duty SWAT, K-9, and aviation from several other agencies including City of Miami Police, Miami-Dade Sherriff Office, and Miami-Dade School Board. Both subjects were located within the perimeter, and they were charged with grand theft, occupied burglary, and resisting arrest.
Ofc. Alexander Rodriguez did not hesitate to respond to an in-progress call, and he then used his knowledge and training to predict where the stolen vehicle would flee to, while maintaining communication with dispatch as he attempted to make a traffic stop. Ofc. A. Rodriguez set the controlled tone during the initial crucial moments of this call, which led to the successful apprehension of these subjects. Officer Alexander Rodriguez efforts should be recognized with the Officer of the Month for August 2025.