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Congratulations to Officers Bryan Pita and Rafael Villanueva, recipient of the City of Coral Gables “Officer of the Month,” for the month of January 2026.
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On Wednesday, January 7, 2026, Officer Bryan Pita and Officer Rafael Villanueva responded to Publix Supermarket at 1542 S Dixie Hwy in reference to a theft to a motor vehicle (Case #26-000120). The Offender for that case was seen on camera reaching over into the open cargo area of a parked Rivian, stealing two fishing poles valued at $600. The Offender is then seen driving a silver Chevrolet Silverado bearing FL Tag leaving the garage at 1139 hours and no longer on scene when police arrived. The report was written and assigned to the Criminal Investigations Division/Property Crimes Unit for review. Two days later on Friday, January 9, 2026, at approximately 1539 hours, Ofc. Pita and Ofc. Villanueva were riding as a two-man unit on patrol while driving northbound on the 3100 block of Granada Blvd. Ofc. Pita and Ofc. Villanueva then observed a vehicle traveling southbound on the 3100 block of Granada Blvd that matched the same description of the subject truck involved in that vehicle burglary at Publix two days prior.
Ofc. Pita and Ofc. Villanueva observed the vehicle and noticed the driver directly matched the subject description from that prior burglary. Ofc. Pita proceeded to make a U-turn and position his patrol vehicle behind the subject vehicle as it continued southbound on Granada Blvd, conducting an FCIC/NCIC check of the Florida license tag. The records check revealed that the vehicle’s registered owner had a suspended driver’s license. The registered owner’s race, sex, and characteristic matched the driver of the subject vehicle.
Ofc. Pita and Ofc. Villanueva initiated a traffic stop on the 5100 block of Granada Blvd and made contact with the driver. Ofc. Pita and Ofc. Villanueva were able to positively identify the driver as the Offender of the burglary at Publix through CCTV cameras and in their involvement in handling the original report. Further investigation revealed the offender has at least two prior convictions for DWLS dated 04/19/2004 and 08/08/2008.
Post-Miranda, the Offender stated he was at the Publix on the date of the vehicular burglary; however, he has no recollection of removing fishing poles from the rear of the victim’s vehicle and into his pickup truck. The Offender was subsequently charged with burglary of a conveyance, petit theft, and driving while license suspended/2 or subsequent conviction.
SYNOPSIS/CONCLUSION
Despite Ofc. Bryan Pita and Ofc. Rafael Villanueva both having less than six months of experience, they have demonstrated a strong work ethic and exceptional initiative that reflects the highest standards of this department. Through quick thinking and sound judgement, both officers were able to positively identify the Offender’s vehicle and apprehend the subject that led to the successful closure of an open case for the Criminal Investigations Division. It is for this reason I am recommending both Ofc. Pita and Ofc. Villanueva to be recognized for their efforts via the Officer of the Month Award for January 2026.