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Congratulations to Sergeant Janesse Soto, recipient of the City of Coral Gables “Officer of the Month Award,” for the month of July, 2018.
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Officer of the Month for July 2018 is being awarded to Sergeant Janesse Soto for demonstrating outstanding preventive patrol and interview techniques after she encountered two suspicious persons which resulted in both suspects being arrested for committing multiple vehicle burglaries in a residential area.
On Saturday, July 14, 2018, at approximately 2:29 AM, Sergeant Janesse Soto (ID 10303) was driving her marked patrol vehicle through a residential area when she observed a suspicious male and suspicious female standing in the middle of the street on the 3900 block of Harlano Street, a poorly lit street. Sergeant Soto observed that one suspect appeared to be standing on a skateboard, and the other suspect was holding an illuminated object (cellphone) in her hands. Sergeant Soto immediately advised the Dispatcher of what she had just observed, requested additional units, then turned her patrol vehicle around to investigate further.
As Sergeant Soto turned her marked patrol vehicle onto the 3900 block of Harlano Street, she observed both subjects move quickly from the middle of the street, toward the front yard of a residence, and attempted to conceal themselves behind some shrubs/hedges. Sergeant Soto directed her police vehicle mounted spotlight toward the suspects and they began walking briskly southbound on Harlano Street towards Bird Road (SW 40 St.). Sergeant Soto then had to order both subjects to stop by yelling loudly at them two times, before they finally stopped.
Sergeant Soto detained both suspects and read Miranda per card to Offender 1 (Juvenile), who initially identified herself with a false date of birth in an attempt to make herself an adult. Her actual date of birth was subsequently confined and she was only 17 years old. Offender 2 (Adult) was also read Miranda per card and he waived her rights. Offender 2 was identified as the subject riding the skateboard. Initially Offender 1 advised that she was hanging out with Offender 2 and they took an Uber to Offender l 's friend's residence. Offender 1 advised her friend (Involved Other 1) lived close by and they were just walking around after visiting her friend. Offender 1 kept pointing East of where we were located but advised she did not know the address of Involved Other 1’s residence.
Offender 1 had a white sunglass case protruding from her sweater pocket, which she claimed to be Versace sunglasses given to her by her friend. Offender 1 eventually admitted to Sergeant Soto that she and Offender 2 had been burglarizing unlocked vehicles. Offender 1 advised that she entered 4 vehicles and believed she took the Versace Sunglasses from the center console of a white or silver vehicle, and a skateboard from another vehicle.
Post Miranda, Offender 2 stated that he was hanging out with the Offender 1. Offender 2 advised he picked up the Offender 1 at her residence then took an Uber to his cousin's residence. Offender 2 advised even though he was in an Uber, they decided to get out and walk the rest of the way to his cousins residence. Offender 2 kept pointing West of where we were, but could not provide an address for his cousins residence. Offender 2 was asked to see his Uber transaction on his phone and that is when he finally admitted that he and Offender 1 were indeed burglarizing vehicles in the area. Offender 2 advised they were burglarizing vehicles since approximately 12:30 AM, and he believes they entered 3 vehicles. Offender 2 had a total of $9.99 in loose coins in his sweater pocket which he believed he took from an Acura.
Both Offender 1 and Offender 2 were arrested and transported to the Coral Gables Police Department for Processing. Detective Moises (ID #8017) and Detective Baserva (ID #8408) interviewed Offender 2 after he acknowledged the Miranda warnings. Offender 2 admitted entering 3 vehicles and stealing the coins from a Nissan, the sunglasses from a Honda Accord and entering a burgundy Toyota but not taking anything from within. Detective Moises and Detective Baserva then interviewed Offender 1 after she acknowledged the Miranda warnings. Offender 1 admitted into going into 4 vehicles without permission.
Upon canvassing the area, a 2013, black Volkswagen Passat was located in the driveway of 3633 Harlano Street with the trunk completely open. Further investigation revealed the driver door ajar and the glove box open and ransacked inside of the vehicle. Contact was made with Victim 1, who advised she parked her vehicle at 2300 hours on 07/13/18. Victim 1 advised she left her vehicle unlocked and could not confirm if any property was taken at the time. Victim 1 also advised both Offender 1 and Offender 2 did not have permission to enter her vehicle. Both offenders were stopped approximately 800 feet from this vehicle location.
Further canvassing also revealed a 2012, silver Chevrolet Sonic was parked in the swale across the street of 3727 Harlano Street that appeared to be rummaged through. Contact was made with the vehicle owner (Victim 2), who advised she left her vehicle unlocked. She advised she parked her vehicle at 1430 hours on 07/14/18 hours. Victim 2 could not identify any property that was taken from the vehicle at the time. Victim 2 advised both Offender 1 and Offender 2 did not have permission to enter her vehicle. Both offenders were stopped approximately 450 feet from this vehicle location (related CGPD Case No. 18004763). Offender 1 (Juvenile) was charged with burglary and giving false information to law enforcement and transported to the JAC by CGPD processing. Offender 2 (Adult) was charged with burglary to a conveyance and transported to TGK via CGPD processing.
I would also like to mention that upon reading Sergeant Soto's Internal Message Report about this incident, Chief of Police Edward J. Hudak Jr. replied, "Great job of proactive patrol and interview techniques!" Sergeant Soto is a very professional and conscientious supervisor who always leads by example.