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Congratulations to Detective Miguel Baserva, recipient of the City of Coral Gables “Detective of the 1st Quarter Award,” for the month of March 2026.
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It is with great respect and admiration that I nominate Detective M. Baserva (ID: 8408) of the
Economic Crimes Unit for Detective of the Ist Quarter 2026. During this period, Detective
Baserva demonstrated exceptional investigative skill, tenacity, and dedication to duty,
successfully clearing two separate economic crimes cases by arrest. The following summaries
document the investigative work that distinguishes Detective Baserva as a deserving recipient of
this recognition.
CASE 1 - CGPD Case No. 26-001553: Identity Theft / Fraudulent Account Takeover
Incident Date: March 3-5, 2026
Report Date: March 6, 2026
Total Loss: $21,376.25
On March 3, 2026, an unknown female entered Neiman Marcus located at 390 San Lorenzo
Avenue, Coral Gables, and fraudulently assumed the identity of an account holder. Using a
fraudulent passport card bearing the victim's identity, the offender took over the victim's luxury
retail account substituting her own photograph and contact information and proceeded to
purchase seven pairs of Chanel shoes, two Bottega Venetta handbags, and made a charitable
donation, totaling $21,376.25 in unauthorized charges.
On March 5, 2026, the offender attempted to repeat the scheme at a Saks location in Dadeland, at
which point Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office responded and made an arrest.
Upon receiving the case on March 6, 2026, Detective Baserva obtained surveillance photographs
from Neiman Marcus loss prevention and through investigative means produced a positive match
to an individual already incarcerated at Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center (TGK) on
similar charges. Detective Baserva coordinated with Miami-Dade Sheriffs Office Deputy
Blandon, who confirmed the identification. Detective Baserva subsequently confirmed that the
offender remained in custody at TGK and added charges in connection with this case. The victim
confirmed she did not authorize the transactions and does not know the offender. The
investigation and arrest received news media coverage, bringing positive public attention to the
Coral Gables Police Department and the Economic Crimes Unit.
CASE 2 - CGPD Case No. 25-005241: Grand Theft / Contracting Without a License /
Organized Scheme to Defraud
Incident Date: June 2024
Report Date: August 18, 2025
Total Loss: $15,000.00
In August 2025, the victim reported that approximately one year prior, in June 2024, he had
contracted with an individual posing as a licensed contractor to perform tile work at his residence
for $15,000. The victim paid in full by check. The offender cashed the check through a business
bank account he controlled and never performed any of the agreed-upon work, resulting in a total
loss of $15,000 to the victim.
Detective Baserva conducted a thorough investigation that included coordination with Miami-
Dade Department of Regulatory and Economic Resources Investigator Pinol, who confirmed the
offender held no valid contractor's license. Detective Baserva subpoenaed and analyzed bank
records, tracing the victim's check through the offender's business account and establishing that
the funds were diverted for personal use. A search of the Florida Division of Corporations
confirmed the offender's ownership and control of the business entity used to receive payment.
Detective Baserva contacted the offender by phone and arranged a voluntary interview at CGPD;
however, the offender failed to appear. The victim and a witness later appeared at CGPD and
positively identified the offender. On March 2, 2026, Detective Baserva located the offender via
the Miami-Dade Inmate Search system reflecting that he was incarcerated on an unrelated
matter. Detective Baserva formally arrested him on charges of Grand Theft, Organized Scheme
to Defraud, and Contracting Without a License. As with the first case, the investigation and
resulting arrest were featured in news media coverage, further highlighting the Department's
commitment to protecting the community from economic crimes.
Detective Baserva's work on these two cases reflects the highest standards of professional police
work, resourceful use of investigative tools, inter-agency coordination, meticulous
documentation, and persistent follow-through that resulted in two arrests clearing serious
economic crimes. The victims in both cases received justice directly because of Detective
Baserva’s efforts.
It is the submitting officer's sincere recommendation that Detective M. Baserva be recognized as
Detective of the 1st Quarter for 2026.