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Congratulations to Officer Alejandro Pino, recipient of the City of Coral Gables “Officer of the Month Award,” for the month of February 2021.
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ACTION/ RECOMMENDATION:
I respectfully nominate Officer Alejandro Pino, #11429, for Officer of the Month Award for February 2021.
BACKGROUND:
On February 6, 2021, at approximately 5:04 p.m., units responded to 1119 Cotorro Av, in reference to an unknown black male with a suitcase that jumped the fence of the residence. A perimeter was established and a BOLO (Be On the Look Out) was issued for a black male, approximately 5'04" to 5'06" feet tall, 120-140 pounds, wearing a hoodie, black shirt with "University of Miami" logo and orange sleeves, black pants, black shoes, wearing a black and green backpack, and holding a dark suitcase. The residence at 1119 Cotorro Av, was checked by officers. After clearing the residence (currently vacant and being renovated), it was confirmed a residential burglary occurred, with forced entry (rear broken window). The dark colored suitcase was located inside of the residence (see Case 21-000679).
At approximately 9:07 p.m., a second call was received at 6100 Caballero St (apartment building), of a male matching the offender's description looking into windows in the back of the apartment building (see Arrest Affidavit/report Case 21-00681). Police units responded in emergency mode and a perimeter was established. The apartment building is located on the waterway. I took a perimeter point at S Alhambra Circle/S Dixie Hwy (1390 S Dixie Hwy, rear of the business, with a visual of the waterway). I observed a black male, dressed in dark clothing fleeing on foot from the rear of 6100 Caballero, towards the docks. The off ender began to head south, then as the illumination of emergency lights (red and blue) illuminated of the residence just south of 6100 Caballero St, the offender abruptly changed direction and started running north bound along the docks (towards S Dixie Hwy). Officer Pino sprang into action without hesitation, running down the stairs (located at the south alley of S Dixie Hwy) towards the offender. He confronted the offender head-on, gave verbal commands and took him into custody without further incident. A black and green backpack was located in a trash bin, within feet of where the offender was taken into custody. Officer Pino transported the offender to Coral Gables Police Headquarters (2151 Salzedo St), where he was interviewed by detectives. The male (offender) waived his rights to counsel and provided a full confession. He admitted to entering the victim's residence (1119 Cotorro Av) through a rear window. He used a rock to break the window (causing $800 in damage). He also stated that he was not renting the victim's residence and it was wrong for breaking into the residence. Detective Flores showed several photographs of the recovered from the suitcase and contents (from 1119 Cotorro Av), and a photo of the black/green bookbag (which contained an orange shirt and the black "UM" logo shirt) laying in the trash bin (located behind 6100 Caballero St). The offender stated that it was his bookbag.
Officer Pino has been with Coral Gables Police Department (CGPD) for only 1 year and 5 months. However, he has 5 years of prior law enforcement experience with Florida Highway Patrol (FHP). During the short time period that he's been here (CGPD), he's proven to be a very proactive officer with keen observation skills, who always strives to serve the community with professionalism. Officer Pino is assigned to the Uniform Patrol Division (UPD), currently assigned to Alpha shift. On February 6, 2021, he was working overtime on Charlie shift, prior to his regular tour of duty. Officer Pino continues to demonstrate he is an asset to the agency, and it
has been a pleasure to work with and supervise him (even if it's only been while he's working on overtime or overlap between shifts) during this past year!
Officer Pino's knowledge of the area (alleyway access/stairway leading to the dock/waterway), experience, and ability to engage the subject led to the apprehension and arrest of this violent career criminal (see Criminal Investigations Division BOLO #21-039). There is no doubt this subject would have continued victimizing our residents, damaging and depriving them of their property had Officer Pino not intervened. Therefore, I believe Officer Alejandro Pino is deserving of the Officer of the Month Award for February 2021.