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Congratulations to Officer Alexander Ortega, recipient of the City of Coral Gables “Officer of the Month Award,” for March 2023.
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On March 21, 2023, at approximately 1130 hours, Officer Alexander Ortega (11057) was canvassing the area for a subject who made threats to a resident for an unrelated incident (Event#2023035486), when he observed a male wearing a bright neon shirt, possibly to impersonate a construction worker, loading a large table saw onto a bicycle. Officer Ortega continued to watch the offender, who then began to ride eastbound from the 100 block of Cadima Avenue.
Officer Ortega found the offender's action unusual, and he decided to approach the offender to investigate further. After stopping the offender, he spontaneously stated that he took the saw from the alleyway. He immediately read the offender Miranda per card, and he agreed to speak. He admitted that the saw was not his. The offender advised that he parked his bicycle on the 100- blk of Cadima Avenue and made his way behind 3601 Ponce De Leon Blvd through the alleyway. He noticed multiple construction equipment and chose to take the yellow DeWalt table saw and was attempting to leave on his bike when he was stopped by Officer Ortega.
The victim stated that the yellow DeWalt table saw was connected to an extension cord behind 3601 Ponce De Leon Blvd and he did not give permission to the offender to take it. The victim completed a property receipt, and his saw was returned to back to him. Officer Ortega was also able to retrieve video surveillance from a resident which captured the theft. The offender was arrested and transported to TGK.
On this date, Officer Alexander Ortega voluntarily responded to a call of a suspicious person to assist his fellow officer, which is his normal practice when he is on duty. He then used his knowledge and training to identify criminal activity and he took immediate action in detaining and questioning the offender, which resulted in a confession...
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