Arrest of a probation violator that later turned up stolen firearms and an out-of-state dirt bike won Officer Michael Garcia co-honors with Det. Ronald Gooden in a separate case as “Officers of the Month” for Miami-Dade Police Kendall District. The presentation was made during a Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) meeting on Jan. 28.
Citations recognizing their investigative work were presented by CAC chair Barry White following nominations by Maj. Joseph J. O’Donnell, Kenall District commander.
On routine patrol in the Richmond Heights community on Dec. 17, Garcia saw Nykolas Anderson run a stop sign while riding a red and white dirt bike, attempting to flee after noticing the marked police car and flashing lights. In compliance with departmental policy Garcia deactivated the lights and siren to check Anderson’s records, revealing lack of a driver’s license, multiple suspensions of a Florida ID card, extensive prior felonies, while serving probation for fleeing and eluding police.
Arranging a Dec. 21 meeting with probation officer Karen Silvera, Garcia took Anderson into custody, charged with violation of probation. At that same time, Anderson “spontaneously and voluntarily” provided information regarding the location of three firearms inside his residence as well as a stolen dirt bike.
Responding with additional officers to the 15020 Jackson St. address, a search of the premises produced a .40-caliber Berretta under a mattress. The weapon had been taken in a South District vehicle burglary.
There also was a .308 caliber Saiga rifle used in a Cutler Bay residential burglary, an AK 47 magazine, 61 rounds of ammunition, and the dirt bike, later proven to have been stolen in California.
Anderson was charged with three counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, 44 counts of possession of ammunition, one count of grand theft auto and two counts of grand theft. Additional federal firearm charges are pending further investigation.
DET. GOODEN HELPS NAB S. FLORIDA CAREER THIEF
Det. Ronald Gooden was commended for working with multiple agencies over a period of weeks since early September to apprehend a career thief wanted throughout South Florida.
Assigned to grand theft cases involving several AT&T stores throughout the Kendall District, Det. Gooden compiled a dossier of similar cases in Broward County, interchanging information and casework detail.
Interviews with several witnesses and hours of surveillance videotape reviewing led Gooden to identify an accomplice who was the subject’s vehicle driver.
Through Media Relations Bureau information dissemination, Det. Gooden located the suspect, made his arrest and, after interviews at Kendall Station, charged the individual with 25 counts of grand theft. Stolen property also was recovered.
