City of Coral Gables

File #: 24-7090    Version: 1 Name:
Type: Presentation/Protocol Document Status: Noted and Filed
File created: 2/22/2024 In control: City Commission
On agenda: 2/27/2024 Final action: 2/27/2024
Enactment date: Enactment #:
Title: Congratulations to Sergeant Raiza Mardis, recipient of the City of Coral Gables “Officer of the Year Award,” for 2023.
Attachments: 1. Memo - R Mardis, 2. Officer of the Year 2023 - R. Mardis
Title
Congratulations to Sergeant Raiza Mardis, recipient of the City of Coral Gables “Officer of the Year Award,” for 2023.

Body
Detective Mardis was assigned an attempted residential burglary case which occurred on February 11, 2023 (CGPD Case # 23- 000978). During the course of her investigation, Detective Mardis utilized a wide variety of resources, ranging from local, state, and federal assets to social media investigative tools. Detectives from various agencies assisted the Property Crimes Unit, under the leadership of Detective Mardis, with on-going surveillance and data intelligence.

Due to her on-going efforts, Detective Mardis was able to identify the members of a South American Theft Group (SATG), who were responsible for the above attempted residential burglary, as well as other residential burglaries/crimes throughout the United States. On March 29, 2023, Detective Mardis, along with her Property Crimes Unit, Broward Sheriff's Office Burglary Apprehension Team, and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Task Force members located and arrested the ringleader of the SATG. The intelligence gathered by Detective Mardis has assisted our federal partners (i.e., Homeland Security Investigations, Federal Bureau of Investigations, etc.), as well as other agencies throughout the State of Florida with connecting this SATG to other various crimes they have committed.

It is important to note, Detective Mardis is still actively pursuing the other members of this SATG to bring them to justice. As a result of her hard work and dedication in this case, this SATG was dismantled and is no longer targeting residents in the City of Coral Gables and elsewhere. It is without a question, Detective Mardis shall be commended for her commitment to the Coral Gables Police Department and ensuring the community is safe.

Additionally, Detective Mardis assisted the Uniform Patrol Division on an in-progress vehicle burglary which occurred on May 4, 2023, at approximately 4:15 p...

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