Coral Gables, FL - At Arrest Scene Sergeants Police Car Stolen - Chase - Car Has Bullet Proof Vest And Riot Gear
CBS4 Exclusive: Sergeant's Car Stolen On The Job
Dec 15, 2008
CORAL GABLES, Fla. (CBS4) ― A South Florida sergeant on the job ended up
the victim of a crime himself. Someone took off with his unmarked car after he
left it running during an arrest.
"We saw a bunch of cops, also, like going crazy," described Michelle Quintana,
who witnessed the crime. "They were just running around and we just saw a bunch
of people come out and the cop cars and everybody chasing."
Quintana and Valeria Iglesias didn't know what to think when they look outside
their office window and saw Coral Gables police chaotically chasing someone on
foot and in their cars.
"I just saw all the cars and I was like, 'What's going on?'" Iglesias said.
What they saw were officers chasing after the person who stole an undercover
cop car. It happened during a bust at the Intercredit Bank on Aragon Avenue.
When an undercover sergeant pulled up, he wasn't thinking about locking the
door, or department policy.
"There is a policy but in this case, we definitely wanted to make sure we
effected the arrest and that all the officers were safe," Sergeant Janette
Frevola said.
The Coral Gables sergeant stopped his car on the road and jumped out to help his
fellow officers arrest a woman trying to cash fake checks. In a split second,
someone jumped in and took off.
Luckily, there were no weapons, radios or badges inside the car. But the thief
did get away with some police items, including a bulletproof vest and riot gear.
"It's absolutely brazen," said Sergeant Frevola, "and very dangerous for the
actual subject and, in addition, the public out there."
Police aren't sure whether the car-snatcher was connected to the fraud arrest at
the bank or whether some random person decided to joyride in a police vehicle.
Either way, it's not good news for Coral Gables police.
At this point, the undercover sergeant is not facing any disciplinary action.
Police are looking for a gold 2005 Ford 500. The tag number is U45-0BY, on a
Florida plate.
If you've seen the car, call Coral Gables police at 305-442-1600.