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Congratulations to Detective Joel Rios, recipient of the City of Coral Gables “Detective of the Quarter Award,” for the Fourth Quarter 2021.
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I am honored to nominate Detective Joel Rios for the prestigious Detective of the 4th Quarter Award 2021. Detective Rios' relentlessness, due diligence, and outstanding investigative skills and follow-up, led to the successful closure of the following CGPD cases: 20-006434, 20- 006436, 21-003216, 21-003341, 21-005166, 21-005514, 21-006029. Additionally, due to Detective Joel Rios' passion, knowledge, and extensive list of law enforcement contacts throughout South Florida, our agency has been extremely successful with the identification and arrest of numerous auto theft subjects, and the expeditious recovery of numerous stolen vehicles. Moreover, Detective Joel Rios is always eager to assist his fellow colleagues, to ensure the job gets done efficiently and thoroughly. As a result, Detective Rios' reputation as an experienced, passionate, and hardworking investigator transcends throughout the law enforcement community.
Below, please find a synopsis for each case mentioned above:
20-006434 & 20-006436 (linked cases):
Theft of Motor Vehicles
150 Solano Prado, Coral Gables, FL
Two high-end vehicles were stolen from the victim's driveway inside the Old Cutler Bay gated community.
Detective Rios was assigned the case for investigation. On the date of the incident, he worked directly with officers on scene. One of the vehicles pinged in Broward, FL. He immediately reached out to his contact with the Broward Sheriff’s Office Burglary Apprehension Team. BSO BAT sent units to the ping location. They successfully located and recovered one of the stolen vehicles.
Detective Rios diligently secured video surveillance footage from the incident location and guard house, which assisted with the identification of the subject vehicle involved.
He identified the registered owner of the subject vehicle, who was known to him from previous stolen vehicle investigations. This individual was involved in renting personal vehicles, as well as acting as a straw buyer.
Detective Rios prepared a Need to ID BOLO reference the driver of the subject vehicle and subject vehicle.
He conducted a thorough interview of the registered owner who provided valuable information related to the purchase of the subject vehicle and other known associates involved in the investigation.
Detective Rios then contacted other agency representatives in an attempt identify the driver of the subject vehicle via the BOLO he created. A detective with Hollywood PD positively identified the driver as Keysean Dukes. The detective had a prior interaction with Dukes.
As a result of the identification, Detective Rios conducted numerous background and record checks on Dukes. Dukes' past was lengthy which included several vehicles related crimes (i.e., Grand Theft Auto, Vehicle Burglary, etc.). This check also produced information pertaining to a traffic stop conducted by FHP, which put Dukes as the driver of the subject vehicle in Broward County. Detective Rios contacted the FHP Trooper who conducted the traffic stop, to see if he would review the BOLO. The trooper agreed and positively identified Dukes as the subject in the BOLO.
Detective Rios continued his investigation and determined the subject vehicle was equipped with GPS tracking services. After securing a subpoena, Detective Rios was able to confirm the subject vehicle pinged in the vicinity of the theft of vehicles.
Due to the evidence produced and probable caused established, Detective Rios was finally able to secure an arrest warrant for Dukes on December 16, 2021.
On January 4, 2022, Detective Rios, Detective Alfred Fernandez (US Marshalls Task Force Officer), and the US Marshalls successfully located and arrested Dukes in Broward County without incident.
21-003216:
Burglary Occupied Dwelling & Theft of Bicycle
5310 Alhambra Cir, Coral Gables, FL
Detective Rios was able to identify, make an arrest, and secure a confession of the subject, Mr. Pavel Denis Grillo, who was responsible for the felony and misdemeanor offenses.
21-003341:
Theft from Structure with Legal Access
106 Ponce De Leon Blvd, Coral Gables, FL
The subject, later identified as Ms. Rosalba Hernandez, stole the victim's purse from her shopping cart while inside Publix supermarket. The victim followed Hernandez outside, where she observed her remove $150.00 from her wallet and threw the wallet and purse on the ground. Subsequently Hernandez fled the scene.
A witness took a photo of Hernandez which was later used to assist with an identification via the Clearview application.
A line-up was administered with the victim who positively identified Hernandez.
Several attempts were made to locate Hernandez but were initially unsuccessful.
Detective Rios finally located her on 12/20/21 and placed her under arrest. An interview/interrogation was conducted resulting in a confession.
21-005166 (linked to 21-UU5514):
Theft of Construction Tools ($1,750 loss)
405 University Dr, Coral Gables, FL
Detective Rios responded to the scene and conducted an extensive review of the video surveillance. He was able to identify the subject vehicle, a white Chevy Silverado, double cab, bearing FL tag CYKR08, enter the location. An unknown male driver and female occupant were responsible for committing the theft of equipment.
Detective Rios requested additional video footage from our CIC system, which confirmed the subject tag. A record check of the tag confirmed it was a stolen tag out of Miami- Dade County.
Detective Rios disseminated a Need to Identify Bolo. Additionally, he ran the vehicle's tag on the date of the incident in Vigilant, which revealed the subject vehicle contained the miscellaneous stolen items inside the bed of the truck.
Detective Rios then reviewed the License Plate Reader history for the license plate to develop a pattern where the vehicle frequents. He was able to determine the vehicle pinged at a LPR system in Hialeah on a consistent basis. As a result, Detective Rios conducted further surveillance at the LPR site on the designated times the vehicle would pass through it. Several surveillance operations were conducted. Detective Rios' perseverance and hard work paid off. On November 12, 2021, at approximately 3:35pm, the subject vehicle passed through the LPR location, while Detective Rios was on scene. Detective Rios followed the vehicle in an unmarked capacity until assistance was provided by Hialeah Police Department.
Both subjects were inside the vehicle and subsequently placed under arrest.
Detective Rios conducted a thorough interview/interrogation, which led to a full confession by both subjects. Refer to below related case 21-005514.
21-005514 (linked to 21-005166):
Theft of Roofing Material ($5,298.83 loss)
1212 Sorolla Ave, Coral Gables, FL
Detective Rios conducted an area canvass to attempt to locate video surveillance footage. He successfully obtained RING footage at a neighbor's residence, which captured the same looking subject vehicle from case 21-005166. Therefore, he ran the subject vehicle's tag from case 21-005166 in Vigilant to determine if the vehicle pinged in the vicinity of the crime. Detective Rios was able to determine the subject vehicle pinged off the LPR located on SW 8 Street and Prado during the time frame of the incident. This LPR system was within .673 miles.
For further details pertaining to the identification and arrest of the subjects refer to above case 21-005166.
The subjects provided a full confession.
21-006029
Theft from Burglary
1515 San Remo Ave., Apt 616, Coral Gables, Fl
Due to Detective Rios’ prior interactions with the subject, Mr. Pavel Denis Grillo, he was able to link him to the crime, make an arrest, and secure a confession (linked to 21-003216).
It is undeniable that Detective Joel Rios’s hard work, enthusiasm, and dedication to the Coral Gables Police Department and the community alike, makes him most deserving of the Detective of the 4th Quarter Award 2021. It has been a privilege and honor to supervise Detective Rios. Detective Rios is a huge asset to this agency; especially, the Criminal Investigations Divisions’ Property Crimes Unit.
Thank you for your consideration.