The victim, who asked not to be identified, said it started as a day at the beach for her and her friend back in December.

“This is right before the incident, because we’re all smiles,” she said as she showed pictures to 7News.

The victim said she and her friend ran into the suspect.

“[He] told me he was a musician and asked to add himself on Instagram,” she said.

The victim said the man introduced himself as a performer and artist looking to reach a larger audience through social media.

“[I told him], ‘Sure, I’ll follow you. You’re a musician. Let me give you some support. Cool, I get it,'” she said.

The victim said she handed her cellphone to the man so he could set her up to follow him on Instagram.

“It all happened so fast,” she said.

“Fast” and, police said, fraudulent.

“It was less than an hour when I saw an email that said I had $1,200, through Venmo, [sent] to this stranger,” said the victim.

The man was gone and so was $1,200 from her Venmo account, and that’s when the victim realized she had been scammed.

“I knew immediately what had happened,” she said.

Now she wants her story out there as a warning to others.

“It was, like, this sense of panic,” she said.

This woman is not alone. Police said she’s one of several people who were scammed in Miami Beach by the same man, who’s allegedly worked with others.

The problem is so bad, police are making videos to make people aware, like a recent clip posted by Miami Beach Police.

“It’s essential that you remain vigilant, and be aware of any potential scams,” said a spokesperson for the police department in the video.

Thr video also recreates a potential scamming scenario to show how con artists pose as club promoters or entertainment types, promising club access, drink vouchers and other perks to unsuspecting victims.

“These individuals are accessing money transferring apps and sending themselves large amounts of money while in possession of your phone,” said the Miami Beach Police spokesperson.

The victim who spoke with 7News said the scammer who targeted her sent cash and a gift emoji to another Venmo account, as seen in screenshot she provided.

But police would catch up with the suspect, identified as James Plitsas, whom they re-arrested,

Police said he has been busted three more times since the December duping of the victim on the beach.

In a statement, a Miami Beach Police spokesperson wrote, “Through a meticulous operation and the strategic utilization of social media, MBPD investigators were able to successfully apprehend the defendant.”

As for the victim, she has a message for the public.

“Listen to your gut instinct, and never hand a stranger your phone,” she said.

Plitsas remains locked up. He faces numerous charges in connection to at least four open cases, including grand theft and fraud. .

Commissioner Joe Magazine is an advocate for reducing crime in Miami Beach, but during some frightening moments on Thursday morning, he became the victim of one.

“[I was] just casually walking, like any other morning, over to my car,” he said, “like any other normal day.”

But it wasn’t just any day for this newly elected city official who champions public safety. As he was getting ready to head to work, he soon discovered a burglar had different plans.

“[I] open the car door, and out essentially falls a person, unexpectedly,” Magazine told 7News. “A person was in my driver’s seat.”

Within the parking garage of his West Avenue condominium, a crook spilled out of his vehicle.

“He starts taking off right away, kinda pushes me aside,” he said.

Shocked, the commissioner called police. He described the moments that followed.

“I’m on the phone with 911, so I follow him through this door,” said Magazine.

Surveillance video shows the burglar exiting the garage, with Magazine close behind. Both men rounded a corner and walked out of the frame.

Moments later, the commissioner said, a bad situation got worse.

“And he turns around, gun’s already pulled, right at my chest,” he said.

When asked what was going through his mind as he stared down the barrel of a gun, Magazine, who has a young daughter, said, “There, what was really troubling is, I knew my life was no longer in my control.”

Magazine said he chose to stand still and comply with the gunman.

“He wasn’t going to miss me. I just stopped in my tracks, put my arms up,” he said. “He started taking another step or two toward me with his gun.”

Magazine said the perpetrator then said, “Get the [expletive] back.”

When asked whether his life is flashing before his eyes, Magazine replied, “Quite literally.”

But after a few a seconds, Magazine said, the gunman turned around and left.

“I retreated that way and ran around the building,” he said. “By the time I even got to the other side of my building, you had police coming down West Avenue.”

A surveillance still shows what appears to be a gun in the burglar’s right hand.

“It appears to be a firearm there,” said Magazine.

As of Friday night, police continue their search for the subject captured on surveillance video wearing an orange bucket hat, striped shirt and shorts. Police said he stands about 5 feet, 7 inches tall and has a medium build.

If you have any information on this incident or the subject’s whereabouts, call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a reward of up to $5,000.

In October of 1995, Orenthal James Simpson was found not guilty of murdering his wife and her friend, in a murder trial watched globally. He left the Los Angeles County Courthouse as a free man but he was not free from trouble.

Simpson would then move to sunny South Florida where he lived with his kids during the period of time between his California acquittal and his Las Vegas conviction.

But even in South Florida, TV cameras and trouble seemed to follow.

While calling Kendall his home in a house on Southwest 112th Street, his residence was raided related to drug a investigation.

There were also controversial calls to 911 and he was also arrested in Miami-Dade County.

“I’m not going to let Mr. Simpson answer any questions about the facts of this case,” said his lawyer.

His private life routinely spilled out before the public during ugly exchanges with his then girlfriend, Christie Prody.

In October of 1999, Simpson called 911 and claimed Prody was high and out of control, accusing her of drug abuse.

“She up for two days on pain pills and red bull,” he said.

In May of the following year, police were called to a hotel near Miami International Airport.

“I guess someone evidently felt that they saw her get physical with me, but she didn’t,” Simpson said.

Later that year, Simpson was was back in the news when Prody sold a story to the tabloids, which claimed that he had given her a cocaine fueled confession to the infamous murders.

She also said Simpson was stalking her and that she was living in fear.

He followed up with the media and claimed she made it all up for money.

“For the last two weeks, she’s apologized for having done this story,” Simpson said.

Despite the relationship drama, he was never charged for anything to do with Prody.

“Never in my life have I chased the guy in a car,” said Simpson.

The drama between the two didn’t end there.

In January of 2001, police were called to Prody’s Kendall apartment after a neighbor called 911 about the pair fighting.

A month after that incident, Simpson surrendered at the Miami-Dade County Jail in relation to a road rage incident that happened in December of 2000.

“Reached inside, grabbed the driver’s glasses and tore him off his face,” said an official.

Simpson would stand trial in that case after being charged with burglary and battery.

“Sorry if I cut you off. Stop (expletive) following me!” said Simpson.

The outcome in that trial was the same as his first.

“As for count one of the charge, the defendant is not guilty,” said the judge. “As for count two of the charge, the defendant is not guilty.”

Years after leaving South Florida, his home was renovated.

7News cameras captured the renovation.

When the realtor was asked if it was a brand new floor plan, he replied “Yes.”

His Kendall home was up for sale in 2017 for $1.3M

An old neighbor of Simpson described the ex-football star as the perfect neighbor.

“Never had a problem with O.J.. He was very nice,” said Carlos Perez.

Simpson lived in the Kendall home until his conviction of armed robbery in Las Vegas in 2008. The home was later demolished.

Miami Dade Fire Rescue rushed to the scene of the accident near Northwest 99th Street and Northwest 7th Avenue just before 4 p.m., Thursday.

According to MDFR, two pediatric trauma alert patients were taken to the Ryder Trauma Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital, while three other patients, including one adult and two pediatric individuals, were transported to a local area hospital.

7News cameras captured the victims arriving to the hospital.

The woman driving the Lexus reportedly told officials that she was cut off by another vehicle and swerved and hit the bus stop. Her car was filled with children.

The five who were injured were all in the vehicle at the time of the incident. At least one of them is badly injured as is the driver of the car.

It is unclear the severity of their injuries.

There was nobody sitting in the bus stop when the crash occurred.

One man, who spoke to 7News, said he was inside a store nearby when he heard a ‘Boom’ sound. He said he rushed to the scene and pulled a girl out of the car before fire rescue arrived.

“Big sound of the crash. So we came out, we looked, we saw like three kids get out the car. So we went over to assist the kids and when we looked inside the car, I saw one kid still inside the car, unconscious, so I grabbed her, laid her on the floor, and I was talking to her, making sure that she keep her eyes open,” said Will Louis.

Louis and others brought water bottles to the family as they waited for the ambulance to arrive.

The roadway at southbound 7th Avenue at 99th Street is closed and traffic is being diverted.

Please check back on WSVN.com and 7News for more details on this developing story.

Alekxei Pino had his leg amputated back in February.

Twenty-two-year-old Alekxei Pino, an employee of the Transportation Security Administration, showed 7News his other leg on Tuesday.

“They sliced through my nerves, all the way across,” he said. “This [leg] is shattered, and this one is mangled.”

Pino suffered these injuries on Feb. 6, when he was hit by a car and pinned against another in Southwest Miami-Dade.

The victim was accidentally struck by Miami Heat forward Haywood Highsmith.

Body camera video shows an officer asking Highsmith a few questions.

“So you were driving this way?” asked the officer.

“Yes,” said Highsmith.

“You were by yourself?” asked the officer.

“Yes,” said Highsmith.

Highsmith was driving home from the Kaseya Center following a Heat game against the Orlando Magic.

“Car was stopped here, and the lights weren’t on,” Highsmith told an officer.

Listed as the “at fault party” and cited for careless driving, Highsmith collided with Pino, who was in the street helping a driver with a broken-down car in the area of Southwest 136th Street and 138th Avenue.

“I heard my brother. He screamed for help. He thought I was gone,” said Pino.

The young man was told he could have easily lost his life.

“I was thanking God for every minute I was there,” said Pino as he fought back tears. “I remember saying sorry to the [emergency medical technicians], to ruin their Tuesday night.”

Attorney Manuel Dobrinsky is representing Pino, who is suing Highsmith.

“He’s worried more about how this has impacted his family. He’s worried more about putting out the people who were helping him,” said Dobrinsky.

Pino, a college student majoring in criminal justice, planned to go into law enforcement.

“What he envisioned for himself is now going to be something different,” said Dobrinsky.

But he’s battling back, and despite multiple surgeries, as well as a number of challenges, physical and otherwise, he is making progress.

“It’s hard feeling whole when you’re missing a part of you,” said Pino.

A former high school baseball and football player, Pino rehabilitates at home when not at prescribed appointments.

“I use this once a day, if not twice,” he said referring to his home gym equipment.

Pino said he is also battling mental trauma from the crash, and he hopes his story becomes a cautionary tale for drivers.

“To stay aware and be safe, always,” he said. “You might miss whatever you need to pay attention to, and that might be the kid crossing the road, the dog crossing the street, or a person like me, trying to help somebody.”

Pino’s road to recovery is uphill, but it’s one he plans to handle.

“I tell myself now, ‘You were able to do it before with two legs. You can do it with one,'” he said.

Pino also suffered serious injuries to his shoulder and hand.

As of late Tuesday night, representatives for Highsmith have not responded to 7News’ request for comment.

Pino’s family has created GoFundMe page. If you would like to make a donation, click here.

7News cameras on Sunday captured framed photographs of George Castellanos. The pictures show a joyful, beaming smile that his parents said they’ll never forget.

“Very joyful, helps everyone all the time. In his job, everybody loved him,” said his mother, Jeannine Castellanos.

Castellanos was just 23 when, Miami-Dade Police said, a gunman took his life while he was simply doing his job at CityPlace Doral’s Martini Bar, at around 3:30 a.m., Saturday.

“They killed him,” said his father, George Castellanos Sr., in Spanish before he added in English, “Why? Why? Twenty-three years only.”

Police told the victim’s family that two patrons got into a fight seemingly over a sofa pillow.

“My son is the head security in Martini Bar, so he goes out there and tries to separate the fight, and when he does, the guy just takes out a gun and shoots him two times: one in his chest and the other in his stomach,” said Jeannine.

Two Doral Police officers who were working in the area immediately responded, and shot and killed the gunman. Detectives later identified him as 37-year-old Jamal Wayne Wood.

But Castellanos would not survive.

The victim leaves behind a girlfriend and a 14-month-old girl. His parents shared pictures of the young, loving family with 7News.

His father was unable to hold back tears when he said his son was his best friend and the best father.

“Best friend, best son, best brother, the best father. Yeah, 100%,” he said.

Castellanos was also studying science and criminal justice at Florida International University, with hopes of possibly going into law enforcement.

“He was in FIU, about to graduate next month, and that was one of the things that really hit me,” said Jeannine.

FIU released a statement to 7News Monday stating he would posthumously receive his degree.

“FIU is heartbroken over the senseless and tragic death of our student, George Alejandro Castellanos, who has been a member of the FIU family for the past five years. FIU will be awarding George’s degree to his family next month at our Spring 2024 graduation ceremonies. George was a hardworking and dedicated student, and we hope that the awarding of the degree will be a reminder to all of those who know and love him of his commitment to higher education, the promise of a bright future and his perseverance toward achieving his goals and dreams.”

Florida International University

“He lost his life doing his job,” said Doral Mayor Christi Fraga.

Fraga said she has called for a special council meeting for Wednesday because of the tragedy. They plan to examine bar hours of operation and consider other regulations so something like this doesn’t happen again.

“If there are measures that we can implement in our code to create additional security, we will,” said Fraga.

Castellanos’ family said they want to see more of those regulations, though it won’t bring back his beaming smile, or the “good mornings” and “I love yous” his parents so cherish.

“Every day, ‘Pa, I love you. I love you, Pa,'” said his father.

Paramedics transported the surviving victims to Ryder Trauma Center and HCA Florida Kendall Hospital. They range in age from 28 to 57 years old and include a Doral Police officer and the owner of Martini Bar.

According to a GoFundMe page, more information and current conditions have been revealed about three surviving victims, Frank Miguel Jerez, Yaniris Jerez and Carlos Milan.

Yaniris and Milan are married with two sons.

Yaniris underwent surgery and is in stable condition at HCA Florida Kendall Hospital. After surgery, doctors said that she is very lucky to be able to walk again.

Milan, who suffered the most serious injuries, is in critical condition after he was shot four times. While injured, he still went over to his wife to protect her until paramedics arrived.

Frank, who is Yaniris’ brother, is in critical condition at Jackson Memorial Hospital. He underwent surgery and is expected to have a long road to recovery after he was shot in the abdomen. Doctors are hopeful that Frank will make a full recovery.

As of Monday, the Doral Police officer who was shot is recovering at home and is expected to make a full recovery.

Castellanos’ loved ones have started a GoFundMe page to help with funeral expenses and help support his family. If you would like to make a donation, click here.

Crews were on the scene of Northwest 22nd Avenue and Northwest 14th Street, on Friday.

7News cameras captured emergency and gas company workers pulling a late Friday night duty as they worked to repair the leak.

According to People’s Gas Company officials, a 10-inch natural gas line was damaged by a separate construction company when the crew’s equipment busted the steel distribution pipe.

This led to the closure of the Northwest 22nd Avenue bridge between Northwest 14 and 18 Streets.

“We have decided to have the bridge stay open and shut down the 22nd Avenue bridge and then evacuate that tower,” said Miami Fire Rescue’s Ignatius Carroll.

The pipeline is buried 20 feet deep.

“It was too deep to reach with hand tools and you had to bring in heavy equipment,” said Carroll.

Carroll showed 7News around where the leak occurred. Rescue and hazmat personnel were stationed in the area as the tricky repair work was underway.

The pipe delivers natural gas to about 3,000 customers in downtown Miami, Coconut Grove, and Little Havana.

The gas is still flowing to these areas and no customer have lost service.

“You smell it as it’s being pushed by the wind but it starts to dissipate so there’s no concern as far as it affecting the residents here. But we’ll continue to monitor it until we get it fixed,” said Carroll.

According to Miami Police, the bridge will be closed until further notice. Drivers are urged to avoid the area and take Northwest 27th Avenue or Northwest 17th Avenue as an alternative.

Officials said it could take hours, or even days, to fix the busted pipe.

Cellphone video captured the moment when Captains Bronson Stubbs and Michael Rivero from Biscayne Bay Pilots spotted the victim, Wednesday morning.

“How you doin’, buddy? Woooo! That’s a lucky day there,” one of the captains is heard saying.

It was a lucky morning for this boater, after a very rough go overnight.

“There’s your raft,” one of the captains is heard saying as they threw a flotation device to the man who was stranded in the Atlantic, miles away from shore, for hours.

“He had gone out last night. I think his boat sank about 2 o’clock in the morning, he said,” said Stubbs. “We found him at 8:30, so I guess he’d been in the water six and a half hours.”

Thankfully, Stubbs and Rivero were out on the water.

“Come swim over here, man. We’ll get you up the stern,” one of the captains is heard telling the victim.

Stubbs said they were out doing their job.

“To navigate to ships in and out safely, dock the ships and make sure the commerce keeps flowing safely — cruise ships, container ships,” said Stubbs.

The captains were guiding a foreign ship into PortMiami when they received a distress call from someone aboard that big vessel, because of a man spotted miles out in the Atlantic, separated from his sinking boat.

“They had a man overboard. They see someone in the water,” said Stubbs.

“His boat was about half a mile from where he was. The boat was just still barely floating,” said Rivero.

“He was hanging onto something. We don’t know exactly what it was,” said Stubbs.

But thanks to these good Samaritans and their life preserver, this stranded boater was pulled to safety and onto their Pilot boat.

The boater had been alone fishing, late Tuesday night, before his boat overturned.

“He said, ‘No, I’m the only one. My boat capsized,'” said Rivero. “He was super nervous. He couldn’t talk; he just looked like he was very stressed out.”

Fortunately, the boater was not injured.

“Very lucky,” said Stubbs.

This was a rare day for these captains, but not quite as rare as one might think. Stubbs and Rivero said they see a lot out on these waters, and every now and again, they have to put their lifesaving hat on.

“Yeah, we do a lot of search and rescue, just natural stuff from being on the water all the time,” said Stubbs. “You know, you develop those skills.”

“We’re always ready,” said Rivero.

And, once their impromptu boating partner was dry and safe, he was all smiles with his heroes.

“He was in the right place at the right time,” said Rivero.

Stubbs and Rivero said their most common external problem concerns boaters who go too fast and make a wake near the port. They hope boaters can slow that activity down and behave themselves while on the water.

The stranded boater refused first aid after his rough night and lucky morning.

Kim Clenney, Courtney’s father, spoke exclusively to 7News as he opened up about his daughter.

“We’re just trying to understand what life is like for you and your wife knowing that your daughter is in jail and facing serious charges that will affect her for the rest of her life if convicted,” said 7News’ reporter Sheldon Fox.

“Well, as you can imagine, it’s been two years of hell. No family should be subjected to this. Courtney is a good kid. She’s innocent,” said Kim. “We just want to bring her home.”

This is Kim’s first time speaking publicly since he and his wife Debra were arrested for what, police say, was a hacking of a computer that belonged to their daughter’s boyfriend Christian Obumseli.

“There are warrants for you and your wife’s arrest,” an officer said on body cam video. “What?” said a stunned Kim as he was arrested in Texas back on Jan. 30.

The couple’s attorney, Jude Faccidomo, said the computer charges are weak and are diverting attention from the real matter at hand: Their daughter’s murder case.

“This is a distraction,” said Faccidomo. “Why the State Attorney’s Office chose to distract from that, with these rather specious and frivolous allegations, that’s a question for them.”

In his interview with 7News, Kim only spoke about his strong and painful feelings regarding his daughter, as he was advised not to discuss his pending charges.

“If you’re my friend or family member and I love you, then I don’t want you to imagine the pain that we go through,” said Kim. “This is a tragedy for both families.”

Kim’s comments come nearly two years to the day when, prosecutors say, OnlyFans model Courtney fatally stabbed her boyfriend Obumseli inside the One Paraiso Miami condo.

Miami Police Department footage, obtained by 7News from the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office, shows the point of view of officers who responded to the fatal incident.

“Get up, get up right now,” said an officer.

“Baby, baby, baby, baby, wake up, wake up,” Courtney is heard saying to her unresponsive boyfriend.

Another angle of the footage shows a hysterical Courtney being moved to another room by police.

“No, no, no, no, no, I can’t. I can’t let this, OK?” said Courtney.

“Fire Rescue,” said an officer. “He’s not breathing.”

The stabbing happened in April 2022. Before the body cam video was released, still pictures, tabloid articles, scene photos, and 911 calls provided a glimpse of the horrific day.

While Miami Police responded to the 911 call, they did not arrest Courtney on the day of the incident. Months later, while Courtney was in rehab in Hawaii, U.S. Marshals picked her up and brought her back to South Florida.

The Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office is charging Courtney with second-degree murder. She is currently in jail without bond as her trial is pending.

From the beginning, Courtney has claimed self-defense.

“She should be on trial for what happened on one day and one instant when she acted in self-defense to save her own life. She’s not the person that she’s being portrayed, let me put it that way,” said Kim.

The parents have a hearing on their computer charge case on April 23.

This is the end of a rough week for the rap mogul and actor, but the embattled billionaire is making the best of it.

Combs was seen hobnobbing with fans at the Pura Vida restaurant near First Street and Washington Avenue on Friday.

“I run into the man right here,” said a man.

“What’s up?” Combs is heard saying in cellphone video.

The star was also spotted Friday riding a bicycle near his Star Island mansion.

“Oh, my God, Stop, stop! Go back, go back, go back,” someone is heard saying in the video, which was recorded from inside a vehicle.

Combs appeared to be living life in a carefree, kid-on-his-bike kind of way.

Earlier on Friday, he was reportedly spotted at a Top Golf location in Sweetwater.

But back on Monday, federal authorities raided his Miami Beach home, as well as his house in Los Angeles, in a Homeland Security Investigations probe said to be to tied to sex trafficking claims and other allegations in separate civil suits.

In a recently amended suit, music producer Rodney Jones accused Combs of sexual assault and gun crimes, including bragging about having shot people, and downright devilish gangsterism.

Jones’ 98-page bombshell filing claims:

“…Defendant Combs threatened to eat Mr. Jones’ face and informed him that he would not hesitate to kill his own mother to get what he wanted.”

There was also a bloody scene within the suit, alleging Combs or his son Justin was the triggerman in a 2022 shooting of a man inside a Los Angeles studio bathroom.

Combs hasn’t been charged for any of the alleged crimes mentioned in Jones’ suit or other legal documents.

Despite the federal raids, Combs has not been arrested, charged or formally named as a target by investigators, who appear to be in the middle of an ongoing probe.

So, at least for now, this megastar can keep smiling.

Through his attorneys, Combs has denied all of the allegations. He has not spoken publicly on the matter since before Monday’s raids.

Music producer Rodney Jones has filed a lawsuit against the rap mogul that accuses him, his son Justin and others of criminal activity.

The disturbing allegations come as Combs was spotted out in South Florida.

The newly amended civil lawsuit filed by Jones, a former close associate of Combs, comes with a “trigger warning: [that] this document contains highly graphic information of a sexual nature, including sexual assault.”

Initially filed in February, the suit names several other defendants, including actor Cuba Gooding Jr., recording industry companies and others.

The suit was amended earlier this week, the same week separate federal raids of Combs’ homes were executed, connected to a Homeland Security Investigations probe.

Combs has not been charged criminally, but the civil suit alleges considerable illicit activity, including that:

“…Mr. Combs forced Mr. Jones to bring prostitutes and sex workers back to his home in Miami, Florida.”

This is the same Miami Beach mansion that agents stormed Monday as the world watched.

Elsewhere in South Florida, the suit says:

“Mr. Combs used his power and influence to intimidate and force Mr. Jones into soliciting sex workers from Booby Trap on the River.”

Jones said he himself was sexually assaulted by Combs and others.

It isn’t just sex crimes that Jones alleges of Combs.

A picture of a bloody bathroom is said be at an Los Angeles studio where an associate of Combs was shot in September of 2022.

The suit says either Combs or his son Justin shot the victim. It states:

“…Mr. Jones was forced to watch as Mr. Combs displayed his guns and bragged about getting away with shooting people.”

The suit also mentions Combs’ accused drug mule, Brendan Paul, who was arrested for drug possession earlier this week in Opa-locka, after Feds confronted Paul, Combs and others before a scheduled private flight for the rap mogul and his family, a flight that never happened.

Miami-Dade Police officers busted Paul after, they said, cocaine and pot candy were found in his bags.

The lawsuit states:

“Mr. Jones personally witnessed Combs Enterprise employee Brendan transport firearms to and from nightclubs, strip clubs, and other venues for Mr. Combs on his person in Miami, Florida.”

Also, according to the filing:

“…While in his home in Miami, Defendant Combs required Mr. Jones to work out of his bedroom and watch as Defendant Combs distributed guns to individuals dressed in all black.”

The global music icon and mogul wasn’t beyond being menacing and mean, according to the suit. It states:

“…Defendant Combs threatened to eat Mr. Jones’ face and informed him that he would not hesitate to kill his own mother to get what he wanted.”

Combs’ whereabouts weren’t known all week until witnesses told 7News he and his family were spotted inside a Top Golf location in Sweetwater.

Jones’ lawsuit also describes sexual assault involving Gooding.

As federal investigators put together a road map, the thing they are after now is a flight map. and that’s why every charter company Combs used is receiving a federal subpoena, TMZ reported Thursday.

Thus, the investigation into allegations that Combs engaged in sex trafficking might come down to charter jets and figuring out who was on them, as they went from state to state and around the world.

Federal law enforcement sources have told TMZ that all of the jet charter companies Combs used will receive subpoenas.

In addition, TMZ reported, the Feds want to look at all of the flight manifests, which could be critical, especially if some of the people who filed recent civil lawsuits against Combs were on board these planes.

This would enable federal agents to contact the passengers and interview them. Anyone who flew with Combs, including his celebrity friends, could be contacted by officials conducting a probe out of New York tied to allegations of sex trafficking.

This latest development comes a day after 7Skyforce hovered above Combs’ sleek private jet, once again parked at Miami-Opa Locka Executive Airport, where he was met by Homeland Security Investigations agents prior to a planned family trip that never happened.

The aircraft had been at Antigua earlier in the week, following a trying three days for the mogul, who remains under the legal microscope.

Video provided by TMZ shows trashed rooms at Combs’ Los Angeles home. The footage shows deconstructed computers, ransacked desks, and open cabinets and desk drawers. Federal authorities even burrowed through the star’s bathroom.

It was the result of the Homeland Security Investigations’ raid on Monday, which went down as another raid happened at Combs’ South Florida property on Star Island.

7News cameras captured the surprise federal visit on Star Island from the ground and air.

Meanwhile, bodycam video from Miami-Dade Police obtained by 7News shows Brendan Paul, Combs’ alleged drug mule and a former Syracuse basketball player, being led away from the Miami-Opa Locka Executive Airport in handcuffs, Monday.

Paul was arrested on two separate charges.

Combs has not been charged with a crime. He and his legal team have denied all wrongdoing. His attorney, Aaron Dyer, released a statement describing the raids as a “gross overuse of military-level force.”

As of Thursday night, Combs’ whereabouts are unknown.

The umbrellas were out, in the driveway of the mogul’s South Florida residence, Wednesday afternoon, but it wasn’t raining. Three dark colored umbrellas and a red one were placed on top of and on the side of a Cadillac Escalade, as security guards attempted to shield any view beyond the entrance to the secluded mansion.

7News cameras captured a tour bus passing by the home slowly. The umbrellas remained in place, even well after the sun went down.

The outlandish sight comes after 7Skyforce hovered above Combs’ sleek private jet parked at Miami-Opa Locka Executive Airport. It had been at Antigua earlier in the week.

It has been a trying three days for the mogul, who remains under the legal microscope.

Video provided by TMZ shows trashed rooms at Combs’ Los Angeles home, deconstructed computers, ransacked desks, open cabinets and desk drawers. Federal authorities even burrowed through the star’s bathroom.

It was the result of the Homeland Security Investigation’s raid on Monday, which went down as another raid happened at Combs’ South Florida property.

7News cameras captured the Star Island surprise federal visit from the ground and air.

A neighbor shot cellphone video about 30 minutes into the raid. It showed a man being led out of the home in handcuffs, though it’s not believed that he was arrested.

The two raids are linked to a federal investigation out of New York. Combs has not been charged with a crime, and he wasn’t at either home Monday afternoon.

Instead, he was at Miami-Opa Locka Executive Airport, where federal investigators intercepted his plane and took a member of his entourage into custody.

Following a search of his bags, Miami-Dade Police officers working with Homeland Security agents arrested Brendan Paul on drug possession charges. Body camera video from MDPD obtained by 7News shows Paul being led away from the airport in handcuffs.

Paul has been named as Combs’ alleged drug mule in at least one of several civil lawsuits against Combs, who has been accused of sex trafficking, sexual assault and other offenses.

Combs and his legal team have denied all allegations.

Addressing the federal raids, attorney Aaron Dyer wrote, “There was gross overuse of military-level force as search warrants were executed at Mr. Combs’ residences. There is no excuse for the excessive show of force and hostility exhibited by authorities or the way his children and employees were treated.”

The Diddy drama has made for an explosive news story globally, as others continue to weigh in.

Miami music icon Luther Campbell, who has made his own national mark in hip-hop culture, was asked about his dealings with Combs during a recent We in Miami podcast.

When asked whether he partied with Combs a lot, Cambell replied, “No, not really. I would go to the party and leave early.”

When asked why he would not stay late, Campbell replied, “I don’t know what goes on after hours, but I wasn’t trying to find out.”

CNN reported Combs was leaving South Florida for a spring break trip with his family on Monday when he was briefly stopped by authorities at the airport and then released. Since then, Combs himself has not spoken publicly.

As of Wednesday afternoon, his whereabouts are unknown.

The suspect, Brendan Paul, was described in a recent lawsuit and was arrested on Monday.

He was charged with one count of possession of suspected cocaine and another of possession of suspected marijuana candy after federal agents intercepted Combs’ plane at Miami-Opa Locka Executive Airport.

This was also the last place Combs was seen in public since after the music mogul’s Star Island home in Miami Beach and his Los Angeles home were raided on Monday by federal agents with Homeland Security Investigations.

The searches were connected to an investigation by federal authorities in New York as part of a sex trafficking probe.

A Los Angeles resident and Combs’ neighbor weighed in on what he’s been seeing next door in recent months.

“I’ve seen black suburbans, Uber drivers, private drivers between 1-3 a.m., Ryan Mendelsohn said. “Sometimes earlier, sometimes later, but I’ve seen girls get out of the car in swimsuits, swimwear and bathing suits sometimes.”

According to TMZ, they reported that Combs’ private jet was spotted in Antigua Monday night.

All these events stemming after several sexual assault lawsuits were filed against Combs in recent months.

Combs’ former protege and girlfriend, R&B singer Cassie Ventura, sued him last year, alleging years of sex abuse and rape.

“Hopefully, this is the beginning of a process that will hold Mr. Combs responsible for his depraved conduct,” said the lawyer for Cassie and Jane Doe.

In February, producer Rodney “Lil Rod” Jones, who was seen working out beside Combs, filed a lawsuit against the star claiming that Combs, his staff, and music executives knew about and were involved in illicit and unwanted sexual activities in Florida, New York, California and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

7News cameras on Tuesday captured activity at Combs’ Star Island home, where some house personnel were leaving the property and black SUVs were seen going in and out of the property as they dropped off, or possibly, picked up people in the home.

TMZ released footage taken from inside of Combs’ California mansion showing the aftermath of the raid. Deconstructed computers, messy, ransacked desks, furniture, cabinets, and open safes and drawers can be seen in the video as Homeland Security officials carried out their investigation.

“They had to present a probable cause statement before a magistrate judge, they had to produce some evidence that they were going to find evidence of criminal activity in his home,” said Attorney Areva Martin.

Combs’ attorney released a public statement for the first time on Tuesday stating the raids of his homes were “excessive” use of “military-level” force.

“Yesterday, there was a gross overuse of military-level force as search warrants were executed at Mr. Combs’ residences. There is no excuse for the excessive show of force and hostility exhibited by authorities or the way his children and employees were treated. Mr. Combs was never detained but spoke to and cooperated with authorities. Despite media speculation, neither Mr. Combs nor any of his family members have been arrested nor has their ability to travel been restricted in any way. This unprecedented ambush — paired with an advanced, coordinated media presence — leads to a premature rush to judgment of Mr. Combs and is nothing more than a witch hunt based on meritless accusations made in civil lawsuits. There has been no finding of criminal or civil liability with any of these allegations. Mr. Combs is innocent and will continue to fight every single day to clear his name.”

Aaron Dyer, Diddy’s attorney

Sons Justin Dior Combs, 30, and King Combs, 25, were seen handcuffed outside their father’s Los Angeles mansion during Monday’s raid.

Currently, Combs has private security guarding his Star Island home that belongs to his security personnel.

Combs has not been charged with a crime and has not spoken out publicly addressing the investigation.

Speaking with 7News on Thursday, the concerned parent said she wants the people running Little Dolphins Daycare 2 to answer a simple question: “What happened to my son?”

The mother, who asked not to be identified or show her face on camera, became upset when she saw the wound on her 8-month-old son’s middle finger.

“His hand is swollen, it’s blistered up. I mean, come on,” she said.

The parent said she noticed the circular wound on Wednesday after she picked him up from day care.

“This was something serious,” she said.

To her, the injury resembles a burn from a cigarette, adding that a pediatrician agrees.

“[The doctor] said, ‘Oh, my God, it’s a burn, but it looks like a cigarette burn,'” she said. “It’s not a scratch, it’s a burn, and my son can’t state what happened.”

7News caught up with the mother and baby after a long day for the family.

The infant’s mother said she was twice at Little Dolphins Daycare 2 on Thursday, first to withdraw her son from the center, then to file a complaint with Miami-Dade Police.

The mother said she drove to Opa-locka to leave a formal statement with the Florida Department of Children And Families.

“What is it that caused this burn and you guys aren’t giving me an explanation?” she said.

7News spoke to the day care’s owner, Giselle Castillo. While she wouldn’t do an on-camera interview, she vehemently denied the child was injured at her facility, insisting it happened elsewhere.

Castillo said she spoke to MDPD and has security video. However, she couldn’t show it to 7News, because she wanted to let the police and DCF investigations conclude.

When asked whether her son’s injury could have come at home, his mother replied, “No, definitely not.”

The mother said she spoke with members of DCF well after business hours. MDPD and DCF officials are expected to provide further details on Friday.

It’s clear Patrick Carroll is fond of firearms. Videos posted on his Instagram account show him brandishing a handgun.

“I got guns,” he said. “I told my assistant, ‘Come on, let’s go to the gun range.'”

Carroll made national headlines for his run-in with police last week. It came after a different video posted on Instagram and later deleted shows him blasting a shotgun from his boat.

The startling footage was shared with 7News by law enforcement sources.

“Be careful, Pat,” a person is heard saying off camera.

“Shut up,” said Carroll as he opened fire.

Nearly a week and several police visits to his mansion later, Carroll was taken into custody.

According to Miami Beach Police, officers apprehended Carroll on Wednesday and took hi, to a hospital, to be mentally evaluated.

“I’m gonna teach you how to properly use a gun,” he said in a video.

Investigators said Carroll has been given 72 hours to surrender his guns. It all falls under a risk protection order served by authorities following the surveillance of his home by the department’s Criminal Investigations Division.

“And maybe I’ll do a demonstration on Instagram,” he said in a video.

The latest developments follow a recent pattern of behavior that has played out on social media, within the quiet, upscale Lakeview community of Miami Beach and beyond.

A video shows Carroll screaming. 7News has learned this happened last week at an Anatomy gym location.

The clip was sent to 7News by a gym member who witnessed Carroll get into an altercation.

“Back up. I’m not playing,” Carroll said in a video.

Police said they were told by Carroll that he fired blanks from his boat on Thursday, but that neighbors called about him again on Sunday, before his home was visited again.

Monday night, a 7News crew and area residents dealt with Carroll’s loose dogs before officers showed up again.

He later came out of the home and spoke with 7News reporter Sheldon Fox.

“Hey, what do you want to ask?” said Carroll.

“I want to ask you what you were doing when you were firing that shotgun,” said Fox.

“I was doing a demonstration on gun safety,” said Carroll.

“A demonstration on gun safety?” said Fox.

“Using blanks,” said Carroll.

Officers took him into custody less than 48 hours later.

Sources told 7News that Miami Beach Police officers are expected to return to Carroll’s mansion to collect his guns.

Burkett won with 53% of the vote while his opponent, and incument, Shlomo Danzinger, got 47% of the vote.

7News cameras captured a cheering crowd inside town hall as Burkett was named the winner of the race.

“It’s a great pleasure to be able to vote,” said David, a voter.

Residents of Surfside were crammed in the hallways and stairways as they waited in suspense for the mayoral results,

“It’s been a long day but we’re happy that we can win this race,” said Burkett following his win.

Burkett has served three terms as Surfside mayor. This is his fourth win as mayor, beating the incumbent who beat him last time.

“We can get in a position to reverse course and put surfside on a good track,” said Burkett.

“It has been on a really bad track optically and you’ve been a part of that right?” said 7’s Sheldon Fox.

“I haven’t. The track that I’ve been on, I’ve been trying to expose it and enlighten all the voters to exactly what’s been happening,” said Burkett.

7News cameras captured Burkett shaking Danzinger’s hand after the results came in.

In the past, the two have been bitter political enemies as they sparred personally in town hall for many months, contributing to what many would call a chaotic culture.

At one point last year, Danzinger had Burkett booted from a commission meeting and escorted out by the police.

“Captain, please escort Mr. Burkett out of the room,” Danzinger said.

At the election watch party, Danzinger did not want to speak to 7News.

“Would you want to speak to 7News?” Fox asked.

“I’ll speak to anyone but you,” said Danzinger.

Burkett said his win helps Surfside move forward.

“I’m very excited to be moving forward. We’re going to have some dramatic change,” said Burkett.

“OK, and how are you going to work together with those who you may not agree with in a different way than what was done before?” asked 7’s Sheldon Fox.

“We always do that. We will work together, we will welcome them, we will care about what they have to say but we have our agenda and we have things that we need to do,” said Burkett.

Along with the mayor, Vice Mayor Jeff Rose was also voted out Tuesday night following a controversial video showing Rose angrily yelling after he said he was pushed following a debate in early March and who then had an 18-year-old activist arrested for the alleged crime.

Burkett said he will assume his mayoral duties on Wednesday night.

Election night capped a spirited day in the beach town of 5,000 plus people. It is a small piece of South Florida with big personalities in control.

It was a real blast on Thursday at the high-end Lakeview section on Miami Beach.

Video obtained exclusively by 7News showed the man, identified as Patrick Carroll, firing his shotgun causally on the boat while wearing a “Make America Great Again” hat.

Carroll is real estate investor who lives in a $16.5 million waterfront mansion.

The 44-year-old, according to law enforcement sources, was firing those shots from a boat that was docked at his home.

In a second video, a second long-gun was also seen. The footage was initially posted on Carroll’s Instagram account, which is now being used in an investigation by the Miami Beach Police Department, who learned about the Bayside shooting session by concerned neighbors.

Police told 7News that officers arrived at Carroll’s home Thursday before being told by him that he was only firing blanks. They also said that a second call was made about Carroll over the weekend, but police have not provided those details.

7News went to Carroll’s home Monday afternoon to get his side of the story, but those at his home didn’t say if he was home or if he would comment on the incident.

When crews returned to his home Monday night, two dogs, a doberman and a Belgian Malinois, were released and roamed the neighborhood without any leashes.

Police were called to the scene.

Carroll eventually came out of his home and said that he was firing blanks from the shotgun and that he was making a gun safety demonstration video.

“I was doing a demonstration. I was doing a demonstration on gun safety,” Carroll said. “Using blanks.”

When confronted about the constant police presence at his home, Carroll claimed he has not done anything wrong and left the scene.

On his Instagram account over the weekend, Carroll seemed to address the gun-play.

“I will slow down the posts,” he said. “Most of the negative things out there about me, and, I think, you know, people, you know think badly about me. They just get the wrong impression.”

Carroll has a significant online presence with over a million Instagram followers.

“I’m a loud guy, I’m 6’4, 220 [pounds]. I’m a big guy, right?” Carroll said in an Instagram post. “The mistake I made on Instagram, you know, if you call it a mistake, is just posting too much content. I’m hyper, I’m ADD. It’s just because, my life is [expletive] awesome.”

Carroll has been in trouble with the law in the past. He is being sued for allegedly spitting at a Wynwood restaurant manager’s face.

He also has open criminal cases for battery, which includes a 2022 arrest at Gold Rush gentleman’s club in Miami. 7News obtained surveillance video from the club during that incident. According to police and victims, Carroll was screaming profanities and racial slurs.

Neighbors at the Lakeview community said that they’ve been calling police for several days.

Police told 7News that their investigating remains active.

No arrests have been made and no charges have been filed.

Geared up in SWAT equipment, Miami Beach Police officers swarmed the complex, located at 1770 Meridian Ave., to deal with the problem tenant, Thursday night.

Dario Ezequiel Oest is accused of packing a chef’s knife, terrifying a family and causing the entire property to be evacuated.

“I was pretty nervous,” said a resident.

The shaky nerves can be attributed to Oest, who police said had a spat with a neighbor, knocking on her door and telling her her kids were too loud.

According to his arrest report, the 39-year-old suspect “produced a knife from his waistband and pointed it in her direction.”

The unwanted visit became even scarier when, the report states, Oest “began to make a back-and-forth waving motion toward victim with the knife as he told her to quiet her children down because they were creating too much noise and that was considered child neglect.”

The unwelcome encounter prompted a call to police, who arrived and cleared out the complex.

“We came outside after they evacuated us, and then they just told us to stay at a safe distance,” said a resident.

Speaking in Spanish, another resident said, “It’s 12 o’clock at night. They haven’t let us return. It’s been two hours that we’ve been outside.”

Tactically clad officers could be seen ushering out families and others in their bathrobes and pajamas into this central section of Miami Beach, steps from City Hall and the Miami Beach Convention Center.

There was one man, though, who needed the most help getting out: the accused knife-wielding tenant in Apartment 111. The report states a “search warrant was approved and executed by Miami Beach SWAT officers, and the defendant was eventually taken into custody.”

Officers did a number on Oest’s unit. They smashed a front jalousie window and ripped off the door handle, making a mess in order to reach the suspect.

Oest appeared before Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Mindy S. Glazer on Friday afternoon.

“Sir, you were arrested for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon,” said Glazer.

Glazer ordered Oest to stay away from the family he’s alleged to have horrified.

“So you may have to find somewhere else to live,” said the judge.

According to jail records, Oest remains behind bars at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center in West Miami-Dade as of Friday night. The records also indicate he is being held on an immigration hold as well.

On Jan. 30, authorities apprehended 60-year-old Kim Clenney and his wife, 57-year-old Deborah Lyn Clenney, at their Austin, Texas home.

“There are warrants for you and your wife’s arrest,” said an arresting office in the bodycam video.

“What?!” said Kim. “I can’t imagine why there’s a warrant for our arrest, though.”

“We get it. We’re from Texas. We’re from Austin here. This isn’t our case,” said a deputy with the Travis County Sheriff’s Office.

“This is related to your daughter’s case in Florida,” said the arresting officer.

The Clenneys’ daughter, former OnlyFans model Courtney Clenney, is in jail, accused of stabbing her boyfriend, Christian Obumseli, in their luxury condo in Miami on April 3, 2022.

Nearly two years later, her parents were taken into custody, accused of working with their jailed daughter and her legal team to hack the late Obumseli’s computer, rather than first turning it over to lawyers.

“This is insanity. The whole thing is [expletive],” Kim is heard saying in the bodycam video.

“No, I’m not OK!” said Deborah.

Courtney’s parents were surprised at their home by Miami-Dade Police detectives and Travis County Sheriff’s Office deputies.

Kim and Deborah were emotional and had questions.

“What are the warrants for?” asked Kim.

“Unauthorized computer access. OK, so it’s basically a hacking charge out of the state of Florida. It’s a computer crime,” said a MDPD detective.

Deputies comforted the distraught couple before their ride to jail.

“It will be an inconvenience, but it’ll be all all right,” said a deputy. “So give each other some hugs and stuff and some peer support.”

While putting her in handcuffs, a deputy asked Deborah, “Do you have any problems with your shoulder?”

“Yes, I do,” she said.

“I’ll help you as best I can,” a deputy said after putting the couple in a cruiser.

The couple needed to be booked in Austin before heading to Miami-Dade County.

Courtney was also hit with the hacking charge.

“Is this really necessary?” asked Kim.

“Ah, unfortunately, yes,” responded a deputy.

“This will be a very short ride. There’s no traffic now, so we’ll make it quick,” said a deputy.

“This is [expletive],” Kim is heard saying in video recorded inside the cruiser.

The Clenneys’ Austin, Texas, arrest wasn’t the first time the authorities came to the family’s home since Obumseli’s death.

On June 16, 2022, Courtney is heard on dashcam talking to responding deputies while staying with her parents.

Deputies had been called to the home in reference to a disturbance allegedly caused by a drunken Courtney assaulting a teen in the neighborhood.

No charges were filed. Courtney was later sent to rehab in Hawaii before she was arrested and extradited to Miami on a second-degree murder charge.

Kim and Deborah’s legal team described the computer hacking charged as frivolous and without merit.

Courtney has repeatedly denied she committed murder, claiming she stabbed Obumseli in self-defense. Her case is pending.

The incident, captured in cellphone video sent to 7News, has prompted the police department to clarify the circumstances surrounding the arrest.

Cecilia Mercado, 32, was pulled over by police officers for ignoring a “Right Turn Only” sign in a high-traffic area known for frequent accidents. The video showed the officer forcibly pulling her out of the car, Tuesday, after she didn’t cooperate.

“Please bring your supervisor now!” the man who was in the car with Mercado said in the video. “I feel threatened.”

Despite initially being stopped for traffic violations, the situation escalated when Mercado claimed to have “sovereign citizenship” and refused to comply with the officers’ request for her identification and insurance documents.

A video circulating online shows a portion of the interaction, missing the critical moment when Mercado rolled up her car window as officers were asking for her ID and insurance, police said. This led to the police legally taking her from the vehicle and placing her in handcuffs.

“She is not a United States citizen. They have no jurisdiction over you,” continued the visibly irate man. “You are going to get fired from your job and she’s going to get $250,000 for winning in court. If you want to play, I will see you in court.”

Footage of the arrest exhibited Mercado falling to the ground as officers continued to pull her out of the car. She appeared visibly shocked.

“Cessy, I’m sorry,” said the man.

The man behind the camera is Mercado’s boyfriend. He also claims to be a non-citizen national with “diplomatic immunity.”

“All you had to do was comply,” said one officer.

“I did, I gave you my…” said Mercado.

“No, you did not. No, you did not,” said the officer.

Mercado said she gave them her passport, but an officer stated that was not a driver’s license.

Officials said she was originally cited for a traffic violation and was then released, but further investigations revealed that she had a counterfeit diplomatic tag. This led police to put out a “be on the lookout” alert for Mercado, leading to her subsequent re-arrest.

“The City of Sunny Isles Beach Police Department remains committed to making our streets safe for drivers and pedestrians,” stated the department in a release.

7News was the only station there as Mercado was taken to the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center in West Miami-Dade. She faces felony charges related to the counterfeit license plate, with a bond set at $2,500.

Scott Huss, the man who recorded Mercado’s arrest, spoke to 7News outside of the jail.

“He unlocked the car, opened the car door, and grabbed Cessy by the arm,” he said. “Her immunity is 100% authentic. The specifics can’t be disclosed on public interview, however, the court case and the federal lawsuit will be public. They have no jurisdiction over you. She is not a United States citizen.”

Huss continued to comment on Mercado’s arrest saying, “Nothing should get to the point where somebody is dragging somebody out of a vehicle for a wrong left turn.”

The 32-year-old woman, born in New York, has since posted bond, and was released from jail on Wednesday, where 7News cameras captured Mercado walking out of jail.

“They are not fake. They are completely registered to my private trust and my vehicle, which by law, you are allowed to have a vehicle underneath the trust,” said Mercado.

According to the arrest report, the U.S. Department of State told police that Mercado’s car had a fake diplomatic license plate. When asked about her claims to diplomatic immunity, Mercado doubled down.

“I’m a non-resident alien, and there was nothing wrong with my plates. They have unlawfully detained me,” said Mercado.

Fresh off her bond out, the couple took another ride as they left TGK in a Mercedes Maybach with an unusual looking tag.

But before they could get home from jail on Wednesday afternoon, Mercado had another encounter with police, minutes after she appeared on an Instagram Live where she spoke to her fans from the backseat of the Mercedes Maybach.

“This is why you have to become a non-citizen national, so you don’t have to worry about paying taxes, and you get your business right,” said Mercado on social media.

The Maybach also had a diplomat-labeled license plate. Police stopped the car along the 300 block of Sunny Isles Boulevard.

Video posted by Only In Dade shows the driver of the Maybach being arrested for allegedly driving with a fake license plate.

Another video shows the second encounter with police from inside the Maybach , which was posted on social video Wednesday. It shows police, with their guns drawn, telling the driver of the Maybach to step out of the car. Police told 7News the driver didn’t have a driver’s license either.

The driver has been identified as 22-year-old Andres Lopez. He was taken to the Miami-Dade Police Department as authorities sorted out his identity.

Another video shows Mercado and her boyfriend stranded, with no ride, and speaking to police near where they were stopped a day earlier.

Mercado and her boyfriend said their diplomat license plates are legitimate, and they have lawyers who are prepared to take action against the police department.

“I look forward to sharing my story in court and not being treated like a savage ever again,” said Mercado.

Perry Smith, 53, was apprehended on Monday and is currently being held at Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center. Smith faces charging including attempted robbery with a strong-arm approach and aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer, along with resisting an officer with violence.

His bond for resisting an officer has been set for $2,500 while bonds for the other charges are to be determined.

The arrest stems from an incident reported Sunday, when 83-year-old Jo Mannin, a long-time Miami Beach preservationist, faced a terrifying encounter near her home. Mannin recounted that a man approached her, demanding money and threatening bodily harm.

Surveillance footage obtained exclusively by 7News captured the moment, showing Mannin’s decision to flee the scene and avoiding harm. She spoke to 7News’s Sheldon Fox Monday in an interview.

“I’m in shock, because it’s a very peaceful Sunday morning, and I walk this street all the time, there are lots of people around and, all the sudden, I’m accosted by someone who’s threatening me with bodily harm,” said Mannin.

This case happened about 48 hours after another violent encounter on Miami Beach, where a Chilean tourist was punched unprovoked a few blocks away from where Mannin was accosted.

Mannin called authorities when she got home and although she initially believed the man who attacked the Chilean tourist was the same man who harassed her, she said she might’ve been wrong. 7News sources said Smith was not connected to that assault.

Mannin shared on Monday words of warning: “There are too many strange people walking around the streets and they may decide to attack you for whatever reason. Be careful.”

Miami Beach Police said Smith admitted to encountering Mannin.

Smith, a repeat violent offender and registered sex offender, appeared in court on Tuesday.

“Very violent with the officers,” said a prosecutor in bond court.

According to the arrest report, Miami-Dade Police said that when they tried arresting Smith, he “actively resisted, pulled away and extended his right arm, striking the officer on the left side of his face near the eye area with an open hand.”

Smith remains in jail at the Miami-Dade County Jail as he has three new open cases.

Eighty-three-year-old Jo Mannin, a long-time Miami Beach preservationist and advocate who recently lost her husband, said on Sunday, she became a victim of an attempted strong arm robbery near her home.

“I’m in shock, because it’s a very peaceful Sunday morning, and I walk this street all the time, there are lots of people around and, all the sudden, I’m accosted by someone who’s threatening me with bodily harm,” said Mannin.

Mannin was walking northbound on Collins Avenue near 15th Street when a man gets in her face and threatens her.

“Someone appears, gets in my face and says to me ‘Give me all of your money now, or I’m going to hurt you,'” said Mannin.

Surveillance video, obtained exclusively by 7News, shows the 83-year-old walking on the street when the man, through pixelation and a crowd, approaches her.

“I see his hands in front of my face, and I say ‘No, no, no’ and so I run,” said Mannin.

The woman was able to safely run away.

“Did you have enough time in your mind to say, ‘Maybe I should just give this guy my money,'” 7’s Sheldon Fox said.

“I work too hard for my money, so that comes into consideration. Also, I was just so taken aback, and I thought ‘How rude is this person?’ and ‘I’m gonna get out of here,'” said Mannin. “My first reaction was to get out of there fast.”

“And it worked,” Sheldon Fox said.

“It worked,” said Mannin. “I couldn’t fight this guy.”

When she got to her home, she called the police.

“Within minutes, I got a visit from three police officers,” said Mannin.

Detectives showed up to her home later.

Mannin’s incident on Collins Avenue comes just days after the unprovoked punching of a Chilean tourist a couple blocks away was caught on camera.

She said she brought up the incident of the tourist to Miami Beach Police.

“I brought up the punch because I thought it looked like it could be,” said Mannin.

But then said the man who she encountered might not be the same person who punched the Chilean tourist.

“100% red shorts,” said a man who saw the subject that punched the tourist.

The man did not want to reveal his identity but said he saw the subject on Friday.

“I passed and maybe five minutes after, he hit the person on Collins [Avenue]” said the man.

He said he had to side step the guy who came in his direction, blocking his path and rambling.

“I could’ve been the next one, because I, it was so unprovoked. There didn’t seem to be a reason.”

Mannin said people have to be careful as strangers may decide to attack randomly.

“There are too many strange people walking around the streets and they may decide to attack you for whatever reason and be careful,” said Mannin.

Miami Beach Police tell 7News that robbery detectives are “actively investigating” this case.

The violent welcome to Miami Beach was how a Chilean tourist was greeted on Friday morning as he looked to book a tour at a kiosk offering a fun South Florida excursion.

“Unprovoked, without warning and not a word said, just a shot to the face,” said the victim, who asked not to be identified or show his face on camera.

Surveillance cameras caught the punch outside the business, located at 1425 Collins Ave., just before 10 a.m.

The assailant, a man seen wearing bright red shorts, walked out of the business, briefly got in the face of the unsuspecting stranger and delivered a left-handed punch.

The tourist wobbled and ended up being aided by his significant other, as the puncher walked off.

An employee of the tour business, who doesn’t want to be identified said that prior to the attack, the man walked up to her desk.

“He asked me for a knife. I say, ‘No, I don’t have it,'” said the employee. “The thing is, he asked me for a knife, and he makes a sign, like in his neck, and I say no, then he left, but he just goes around and her punched the face of the other guy, to the victim.”

The attack went down moments later. When asked if she witnessed it, the employee replied. “Yes.”

Speaking with 7News hours after the incident, anti-crime advocate and hotel owner Mitch Novick said he was given the video by one of his tenants. He said he was disturbed by what it shows.

“Shocking, shocking to the conscience,” he said. “Certainly not the hospitable welcome anyone deserves visiting Miami Beach. I hope this isn’t a forecast of what’s in store.”

The punch happened hours into a day that’s expected to be one of the unofficial starts to the busy spring break season. However, it remains unclear whether the punch was spring break related.

When asked how the incident made her feel, the employee at the ticket agency replied, “Unsafe. I work here, so I don’t feel safe.”

The employee said the victim had a bloody mouth and a swollen face that needed ice.

Miami Beach Police said officers showed up after they were called and were not able to find the subject. They added that the victim did not want to go through pressing charges.

City of Miami Police units responded to a call about possibly high on narcotics causing a disturbance in the area of Northwest 58th Street and Seventh Court, just after 2 p.m., Thursday.

Cellphone video captured five police officers standing near the front of a house. The man is seen standing on the front porch wielding a blade.

A witness who recorded video of the incident said he noticed police cruisers in the neighborhood.

“I see this line of police cars. The instinct is to pull out my phone, just to see what happens,” he said.

The video shows the blade-wielding man accompanied by a woman and a man in a light blue shirt.

A police officer pulled the man in the blue shirt away from the front porch.

Investigators said the armed man refused to comply with the officers’ commands to drop the weapon.

“Shoot! Shoot in the heart!” the man is heard saying in the video.

Moments later, an officer deployed a Taser. When he stayed up, officers shocked him again.

After appearing to writhe in pain, the man either lunged at the officers or stumbled toward them while appearing to wave the blade. At least one officer opened fire, striking the man several times.

“Oh, my God. Oh, my God,” a woman is heard saying in cellphone video showing the man lying on the ground.

According to Miami Fire Rescue, the 40-year-old man was transported to Jackson Memorial Hospital with multiple gunshot wounds.

Audio from cellphone video captured between 10 and 11 shots fired.

Area resident Dan Davidson said he heard the gunfire.

“I was up on my balcony. I was petting my cats and stuff, you know, looking over, chilling out, and all of a sudden I hear like six gunshots, at least six gunshots, one right after the other, ‘boom, boom, boom, boom, boom,'” he said. “I was thinking, ‘Oh, man, that’s not firecrackers. Sometimes the kids do firecrackers out here.”

Davidson said he then went outside his home.

“So I come out here, and the cops were like, ‘Oh! Get back in!'” he said. “And they were already coming, like 50 cop cars down this street, down this street, down there.”

Cameras captured the moment paramedics wheeled the injured man into Ryder Trauma Center.

Back at the scene, 7News cameras captured a heavy police presence and a portion of Northwest 58th Street cordoned off with crime scene tape.

Drivers were urged to avoid the area while police remained at the scene for hours.

When asked whether officers had no other choice than to discharge their firearms so many times, Miami Police Capt. Freddie Cruz replied, “They did deploy the Taser, so they had the non-lethal, but the weapon that they used it, it had no effect, so then that officer made that determination to fire for everyone’s safety.”

One police officer was seen in the video appearing to fire their weapon. It’s unclear whether or not other officers also opened fire.

As of Friday morning, the man remains in stable condition.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is the lead agency in the ongoing investigation.

Investigators urge anyone related to this incident to contact FDLE or call Miami Police at 305-579-6111.

The perpetrators, seen on surveillance video carrying backpacks, look like they should be in school, but the business owners said that on Tuesday night, they were focused on matters other than homework.

“OK, just go,” one of the girls is seen telling another.

One of the teens is seen using what appears to be a steel rod to break a window at the shop, located along the 2300 block of Hollywood Boulevard. Moments later, the teen is seen climbing into the business.

Once inside, the thief acts like she owns the place. She is seen helping herself tobacco products — making plenty of noise along the way.

But when the store’s deafening burglar alarm went off, the teen saw it as her cue to get going. She bolted for the door and jiggled the handle until she got out.

The surveillance video later showed two Hollywood Police officers entering the shop with their guns drawn, but the smoke shop bandits were long gone.

The owners of the shop gave an estimate of the stolen goods and overall damage as being anywhere between $5,000 and $10,000. They said they were planning to hold the grand opening this coming Wednesday, but at this point, they’re not sure whether or not it will happen on that date.

“As a young entrepreneur, it’s really hard to put in a lot of time, effort and money into this, and we really hoping that I have here a successful business,” said Shomo Poston, the owner.

The broken window was later boarded up with plywood.

As of Wednesday night, the subjects remain at large, as police continue their search.

If you have any information on this burglary or the subjects’ whereabouts, call Broward County Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a reward of up to $5,000.

Video shows Haywood Highsmith, a Miami Heat forward, visibly shaken and emotional after he ran into 21-year-old Alekxei Pino in Southwest Miami-Dade.

According to the crash report, Highsmith “advised he was traveling westbound on Southwest 136th Street approaching Southwest 138th Avenue when a vehicle with no lights was stopped in the middle of the roadway. Mr. Highsmith was unable to stop his vehicle, and collided with the pedestrian.”

The bodycam footage shows fire rescue trucks on the scene as debris is scattered all over the street. The airbags of Haywood Highsmith’s 2021 Audi are seen deployed.

“So you were driving his car?” said the police officer.

“Yes,” said Highsmith.

“You were by yourself?” said the officer.

“Yes,” said Highsmith.

According to Miami-Dade Police, Pino was standing in the street, late at night, helping another driver with car trouble when Highsmith hit him while driving.

Highsmith was going home after Miami’s game against Orlando at the Kaseya Center.

Bodycam video shows a woman consoling Highsmith on scene.

“Haywood, it’s OK,” the woman said.

Police said Highsmith was traveling at about 45 mph in a 40 mph zone. Police said Highsmith was not under the influence of any drugs or alcohol and was uninjured.

The report said the victim, Pino, was “suffering from a partial amputation on his right leg, a compound fracture to his left leg, and a possible broken left arm.”

A GoFundMe page has been created for Pino. It describes the details of the crash from Pino’s perspective.

“As Alekxei was helping the woman, another car crashed into them, pinning Alekxei between both cars causing him severe and life-altering injuries,” the GoFundMe reads. “He now faces the daunting task of rebuilding his life after losing his right leg—an irreversible loss that will forever alter his life.”

Highsmith is charged with careless driving. Officers list Highsmith as a “driver distracted” for unknown reasons.

According to Pino’s attorney, he is suing Highsmith.

Highsmith has not responded to 7News’ request for comment.

Oscar Nicolas Olea, 38, appeared before a judge, Thursday.

“Sir, you were arrested for two separate cases pursuant to an arrest warrant, you’re charged with improper sexual activity with a child,” said Judge Mindy S. Glazer.

During his court appearance, Judge Glazer ordered that Olea be held with no bond. He was also ordered to stay away from the victims and cannot have any unsupervised contact with children under 18 years old.

Allegations of sexual abuse caught up with Olea more than a decade later.

“I can confirm for you that we do have an active and ongoing criminal investigation with the Miami Dade Police Department and the [Miami-Dade] State Attorney’s Office,” said Key Biscayne Police Chief Francis Sousa.

He was arrested on Wednesday and was charged with sexual misconduct, which stemmed from when he was a coach at a Key Biscayne gym back in the early 2000s.

“Apparently, it was reported on Jan. 31, 2014,” said Beatriz Llorente, an attorney. “This is all led by a Miami Herald reporter who has been very, very vocal in the news and getting her name in the paper regarding the story, so I’m asked, your honor, to look at that. The alleged victim on one them said that, you know, that she didn’t want to get involved and then six months later, she said she wants to get involved.”

Those charges were never brought following those allegations, but a Miami Herald investigation recently uncovered claims of child rape and molestation of young girls and teens.

Key Biscayne residents earlier in February, voiced their frustrations to the police chief during a town hall held earlier this month to discuss concerns about Olea.

“Nothing has been done for 10 years!” said a resident.

“If this happened to your daughter or your granddaughter, even if she was involved in the gym, you would do everything [in] your 30 years of police experience to get to the very bottom of this,” said another resident.

Now, in 2024, the two victims, who are both adults now, have stepped forward and are claiming they were repeatedly abused more than a decade ago as teens.

“Allegations from 2011 and 2012,” said Glazer.

According to one affidavit, “The Victim stated he enticed her into getting closer to him as someone she could trust; he would tell her, ‘You’re my best friend,’ and, ‘You’re my sister, and I’m your brother.’ The Victim stated the Subject made her feel comfortable.”

The investigation revealed that some of the sex crimes allegedly happened just off a portion of Crandon Boulevard, in an old apartment belonging to the suspect, but he allegedly struck elsewhere, like at gymnastics facilities where parents sent their young daughters to be coached.

One affidavit states, “The Subject placed mats, cones and other objects against the wall to conceal them from the view of the public.”

The accusers said their coach was manipulative and got them to see him as a friend or guardian prior to the alleged monstrous behavior.

One affidavit states, “During the classes, the Subject held the Victim’s hand and told her that he would love her, they would be together, her age didn’t matter, and they would be married.”

According to The Miami Herald’s report, there were at least two other accusers going back 12 years. While their families filed complaint, no charges were filed and no arrest was made back then.

Sousa, who did not want to do an on-camera interview, said that anybody who has been a victim or might know a victim is urged as soon as possible to come forward to Key Biscayne Police.

The judge prohibited Olea from having contact with the victim and denied him bond.

Olea’s next court hearing will be held on Friday, where a judge will hear arguments for his release.

According to Miami Police, the suspect broke into the victim’s truck, Monday night, stealing various work tools, credit cards, and other essential items.

But the victim, Jay Bruns, used a GPS tracker to track down the accused thief and his stolen stuff.

Bruns said his truck was broken into outside his Venetian Islands condominium on Monday night.

That night he received a call from a neighbor that a strange man was lingering in the area of their neighborhood.

“I got a call from my neighbor. She asked me if I can come outside to help her. She said there was a strange guy with a shirt off over here with a bottle of vodka,” Bruns said.

The neighbor went on to ask Bruns if he can escort her inside the condo because of the stranger that was walking around the property.

“She was scared, and she said ‘Jay, I don’t feel safe at all,” Bruns said.

Bruns saw the man and told him to leave the area but later realized his truck had been burglarized.

“My wallet was missing along with some other items in my truck,” said Bruns.

He said he had been moving tools to and from his truck but he noticed things were missing.

“[I saw] some hydraulic crimping tools and a powered drill of mine laying on the ground,” said Bruns.

The tools were found over where the stranger had been hanging out, prompting Bruns to call police.

As he waited for police, Bruns got inside his truck and started looking for the suspect.

“I was driving and shining it at the same time,” said Bruns.

Using a flashlight, he spotted the man at a nearby park.

“When the police came here, I flagged them over,” said Bruns.

But the sight of the man wasn’t enough as the victim lost sight of the suspected burglar. He filed a police report and went home.

But later that night, Bruns said his phone started pinging some items.

“I’m inside my condo and I have a tracker on my wallet and I look, and I look, and it’s pinged,” said Bruns. “In Overtown on 14th Street in Miami Avenue.”

Bruns said he quickly jumped in his car and followed the GPS which led him to where the suspect was.

He said he found the man and called a nearby police officer.

“I told him hat my pants, my shoes, and my shirt.”

Bruns said he was able to convince Miami Police that the suspect had his belongings, including his wallet, passport, and credit cards.

“I said ‘I’m going to push this button on my tracker,'” said Bruns.

According to the arrest form, the victim pushed the button and a noise began to ring inside the suspect’s pocket.

“That’s all I could worry about, was getting my stuff back,” said Bruns.

Police arrested 41-year-old Moisses Gomez. He faces a burglary and unlawful possession of stolen credit cards charge.

Gomez just finished a prison sentence for strong-arm robbery. He got out in November for that crime.

He remains in jail at the Miami-Dade County jail.

In one reported shooting, a 19-year-old faces serious charges after allegedly shooting a 14-year-old boy on the Miami Beach boardwalk.

The incident occurred at around 3:00 a.m., Sunday, in the 4800 block of the boardwalk.

Bryan Rodriguez, of Miami Lakes, is charged with second-degree attempted murder with a deadly weapon/firearm, aggravated assault with a firearm and possession of a firearm by a minor.

According to the arrest report, the victims were walking northbound from the 4500 block of the boardwalk to the Grand Beach Hotel, located at 4835 Collins Ave.

An altercation occurred when Rodriguez, walking southbound with friends, allegedly passed the victims after a female in his group gave them a “stank face.” The situation escalated with profanities and gunshots, with Rodriguez reportedly firing at the victims and hitting the 14-year-old boy in the leg.

Rodriguez fled the scene but was later apprehended when Miami Beach Police stopped a matching vehicle.

A live round was reportedly found in Rodriguez’s left front pocket during a search.

Rodriguez appeared in court on Monday.

“He got himself a gun and he got himself into some trouble,” said judge Mindy Glazer.

The 14-year-old victim was transported to Ryder Trauma Center at JMH for a gunshot wound to his right calf muscle; his condition is unknown.

Rodriguez has been charged accordingly and transported to the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center.

A separate incident on South Beach led to more violence on the streets of Miami Beach.

Surveillance footage, obtained exclusively by 7News, shows people appearing to crouch and reacting to several shots that were being fired after 8 p.m. on Sunday night.

The shots being heard loud and clear in the area of Ninth Street between Ocean Drive and Collins Avenue.

“That’s not no fireworks,” a man is heard saying as shots ring out.

“The bull—- already started,” said one man who heard the shots.

Multiple surveillance angles from the Sherbrooke Hotel picked up the gunshots.

“15 rounds,” said hotel owner Mitch Novick, whose cameras captured him standing behind his property with friends. “It’s clearly gunshots.”

Novick described what he saw.

“I saw the bullet holes in the windows and on the building,” said Novick.

On Monday morning, 7News cameras captured bullet holes in the windows of Ocean Drive’s Pelican hotel as Miami Beach detectives and crime scene investigators worked.

Officials at the Pelican tell 7News nobody was inside any of the rooms that were hit by gunfire.

In regards to Monday’s investigation, Miami Beach Police said they are investigating a 911 call that was received Monday morning regarding possible projectiles on a building on Ocean Drive.

That investigation was still ongoing as of Monday night.

The scene just steps away from where surveillance video captured the several gunshots the night before.

Sources tell 7News that the department is treating Monday’s Ocean Drive scene and Sunday night’s shots as the same case.

Novick said the events on Sunday night are disruptive to the community.

“It’s disruptive. Spring break has always been disruptive,” said Novick.

No one was injured in this case.

Miami Beach Police said a third violent incident took place on Sunday morning.

Police responded to the 1400 block of Washington Avenue where they said a drunk person was firing a gun in that area near a restaurant after being kicked out of it.

An off-duty officer arrested that person, now identified as Christian Gutierrez, and took the subject to jail.

According to police, the subject also faces a battery charge against a law enforcement officer for spitting on a cop.

The footage, obtained exclusively by 7News, captures Miami Police officers arresting one of their own on suspicion of driving under the influence, but that’s not all.

“They discovered that the individual was holding what appeared to be a firearm,” said Miami Police Chief Manuel Morales.

The arrest went down the morning of Oct. 31 along Northwest 62nd Street, just past Interstate 95, after Miami-Dade Schools Police officers said they came upon an Infiniti sedan with a man passed out in the driver;s seat. Moments later, they spotted the gun.

MIami Police units responded to the area after Miami-Dade Schools Police alerted them about the strange discovery.

“You know who that is, right?” said a responding officer.

“That’s an officer,” said another responding officer.

One of the officers is heard sighing at the surprise.

“[Expletive] 16 as [expletive], too,” an officer said.

“Sixteen” is police code for someone who’s been driving under the influence. It’s the charge now facing Miami Police Officer Joevanih Sauvagere.

“We had him at gunpoint,” a Miami-Dade Schools Police officer is heard telling a responding Miami Police officer in the video.

The Miami-Dade Schools Police officer shared details of his encounter and seeing the sleeping man in his car.

“I’m banging, I’m banging. He finally pulled the window down, and I told him, ‘Put the car in park,'” said the officer. “He put the car in park. I noticed he had a firearm on his lap.”

That handgun was later seen placed on top of a Miami Police vehicle, after Sauvagere was taken into custody.

Officers shut down busy Northwest 62nd street during the morning rush during what looked like a police convention.

Their arrestee then ended up in an ambulance.

The arrest report describes Sauvagere as having “slurred speech” and a “strong odor of an alcoholic beverage from his breath.”

“Sleeping, behind the wheel,” said Morales.

Morales said Sauvagere was relieved of duty pending an investigation. Police on Thursday said this is still the case.

Following Sauvagere’s arrest, a 7News crew went to his home. Someone inside residence didn’t feel like commenting on the arrest or DUI charge.

The bodycam video captured one of the responding officers questioning Sauvagere.

“You don’t have any – nothing else on you?” said a responding officer.

“No,” said Sauvagere.

“No knife, nothing?” said the responding officer.

“Nothing like that,” said Sauvagere.

The Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office said this is still an active traffic criminal case.

Speaking with 7News on Friday, Emma Avila said she was scammed by a fraudster.

“He took my money, without doing anything,” she said,

Miami-Dade Police officers took Diego Vera into custody earlier this month. Cellphone video captured the arrest.

Detectives busted the 49-year-old for allegedly conning Avila, a 20-year mail carrier for the United States Postal Service, out of several thousand dollars.

Avila showed 7News her bank statements, pointing to what she said were payments to the suspect.

The victim said Vera pretended to work for a law firm, and she met him through a co-worker.

“I trust him because he’s been married with my co-worker, I know her for 10 years, so I didn’t see nothing suspicious,” she said.

But when she kept sending him money to fund the arrangement of a will, Avila said, she never saw any work done and kept getting excuses.

Following his arrest on charges of organized scheming to defraud and grand theft, Vera appeared before Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Mindy S. Glazer on Feb. 7.

“So he sold himself out to be an attorney who does estate planning, and he was going to prepare a trust for the victim,” said Glazer.

“Out on probation in Broward County,” said a prosecutor.

Investigators said Vera has more scamming charges on his plate, including out of the City of Miami.

Miami Police Officer Michael Vega released a statement that reads in part, “We are investigating a ‘scheme to defraud case, in which Diego Vera is the accused. The case is open and actively being investigated.”

Avila said the Miami case involves her son, who was ripped off for $5,000 when Vera, once again as a man who worked at a law firm, said he’d help close out an account for the family but needed money.

Avila said she called the firm where they were told Vera worked.

“[They said] he never worked there, they don’t know that person, he’d never be a client,” she said.

“Doesn’t work for an attorney, he’s not an attorney,” said Glazer.

Phony, fraudulent and full of it is how Avila describes Vera. Police call him a criminal defendant.

“They need to punish these men. They have to, they have to,” said Avila. “I mean, he’s been hitting so many people. There’s a lot of more victims. These guys have to be locked up.”

Vera has a hearing for this case scheduled for March.

Officers responded to the area between Meridian Avenue and Euclid on Eighth Street.

Detectives said they attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a Black Mercedes Maybach, with a Tennessee license plate, but things got out of hand as the driver and its passenger bailed out of the car.

Sources tell 7News that there may have been a firearm involved. This traffic stop had to do with a major crime that Miami Beach officers were trying to solve.

Surveillance video, obtained by 7News, shows one of the guys running north from the crime scene, in the area of Ninth Street and Meridian Avenue.

The man jumps over a condo fence to hide from police in the landscaping area of the condominium but officers quickly arrived.

Video shows the tense moment as cops yell, with their guns drawn, at the hidden man to come out of his hiding spot with his hands up in the air.

Following the tense moment, Miami Beach Police were able to arrest the man without incident.

Javaughn Carrawell was arrested but the other subject is still at large as police keep searching for him. Carrawell was charged with resisting an officer without violence.

Police took the Mercedes on a tow truck for evidence.

Please check back on WSVN.com and 7News for more details on this developing story.

Jacobs said he is being falsely accused and charged for calling the police on the town’s mayor, Ashira Mohammed, last year during a public meeting.

“You didn’t call to tell them she had a gun,” the reporter said.

“No, I did not,” Jacobs said.

“You called to say that you were in fear?” the reporter asked.

“I filed a complaint in fear for my safety,” Jacobs responded.

“And then they asked you if she was armed?” asked the reporter.

“They did,” said Jacobs.

“And you said?” said the reporter.

“I don’t know,” said Jacobs.

Jacobs said that he did make the call but it was to Broward Sheriff’s Office non-emergency number.

“He never called 911 and can conclusively prove that he never called 911,” said Jacobs’ attorney Michael Pizzi.

Pizzi has filed a motion to dismiss the misdemeanor charge against Jacobs that was filed earlier this month.

“You didn’t call 911?” the reporter said.

“No,” said Jacobs.

The bizarre November meeting featured the police chief searching the mayor and then the mayor giving herself a pat-down of the mayor.

“Commissioner Jacobs, there was a call that you made to BSO?” Mohammed said.

“I did,” Jacobs said.

After the self pat-down, the mayor expressed frustration at what she deemed “baseless allegations” that consume valuable time and resources.

“If there were something on me, you’d kind of see it,” said Mohammed.

7News obtained the audio of the Nov. 8 call that Jacobs made.

“Broward County Regional Communications. How may I help you?” a dispatcher is heard saying.

“I’m expressing my personal safety concerns. Ah, because the mayor’s consistently had threatening behavior towards me,” Jacobs said. “She has boasted about carrying weapons.”

“I can’t confirm that she is currently carrying at the moment but I have concerns for my safety at this point,” Jacobs is heard saying on the call.

Jacobs called a regional communications number belonging to BSO and not an emergency 911 number.

The back and forth between Jacobs and Mohammed is the latest blow up from the Pembroke Park town government, which often centers around Jacobs’ friction with fellow public officials and others.

The mayor, speaking to 7News on Monday night, sharing her thoughts on Commissioner Jacobs.

“I’ve never been hostile or anything towards him,” said Mohammed. “It’s been a consistent, nonstop, hostile work environment.”

Last summer, an independent investigation found Jacobs to be creating a hostile and toxic work environment.

But Jacobs said he works among corrupt and incompetent leaders, so he is suing them.

“We are going to sue the town of Pembroke Park and various officials for $10 million,” said Pizzi.

“Others would say, ‘You’re a troublemaker. You make waves in town, you get loud, you get angry, you call out your contemporaries, your coworkers’. Why are you making trouble?” the reporter said.

“I’m not going to jail for anybody up here. Two, anything illegal, unethical, or immoral will be reported to the authorities,” said Jacobs. “If you had a fear for your own personal safety, who do you call?”

“I called the cops,” said the reporter.

“I did exactly that! I called the non-emergency number.” said Jacobs.

“There are some, though who would say ‘He’s not really in fear, he’s doing this to put on a show, to play the victim,” said the reporter.

“Who is to judge you and tell you where your fear level is?” said Jacobs.

Jacobs has an arraignment hearing scheduled for April but his legal team hopes the case is dismissed by then.

Speaking with 7News on Friday, Tommy McJunkins said he came to South Florida for one main reason.

“Hit a few balls,” he said.

So the retired, vacationing golfer, who drove up from the Florida Keys, hit one of his favorite local courses on Wednesday: the Miami Beach Golf Club.

All it took, the victim said, was for him to leave his bag unattended for a few minutes.

“Walked back to my cart, where I was met by one of the cart attendants,” he said,

Alexis Garcia, a head gold professional at the club, said he spotted a suspicious character.

“He did make his way out that way,” said McJunkins.

Garcia said the suspicious man was lingering and poking around course and McJunkins’ bag.

The concerned employee employee immediately approached McJunkins on the course.

“[I asked him], ‘Do you mind just checking your bag for me, please?'” said Garcia.

“He said, ‘You need to check inside your bag and make sure all your belongings are there,'” said McJunkins. “I said, ‘OK, there’s my wallet, some loose cash, and there’s my key and, oh my goodness, my Rolex is gone.'”

Not just any Rolex. McJunkins’ wildly popular “Hulk” Rolex, valued at $26,000, nicknamed that way because of its green face, had been swiped from his bag.

It was a good thing, then, that the staff at the golf club were on to the thief.

Garcia said his fear had been confirmed.

“We spring into action. [The thief] completely bolts,” he said.

The crook hightailed it off the green, but those at the club, already with a running golf cart, were ready to put the kibosh on his getaway.

“Chased him off property. I get on another call with my director, we go ahead and assist with that,” said Garcia. “We end up pinning the guy around 23rd and Prairie [Avenue]. The guy easily relinquishes the watch.”

“They got on their walkie-talkies and said, ‘Yeah, we saw that guy right over there,’ and they deployed like the Delta force,” said McJunkins.

“Literally just sat there until Miami Beach‘s finest came by,” said Garcia.

The staffers kept their unwanted visitor ready to be picked up by officers.

The suspect, identified as 58-year-old Jeffrey Cochran, was caught, cuffed and questioned.

Police said they Cochran was in possession of yet another Rolex watch in his pocket.

As for McJunkins, he said he learned a valuable lesson.

“Don’t leave your stuff in your golf bag unattended,” he said.

But the golfer said he was grateful for a little help from those at the club.

“Really struck right here, right here in the heart. They went above and beyond,” he said.

Cochran appeared before Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Mindy S. Glazer on Thursday morning. He faces a charge of grand theft, a second-degree felony.

Cochran is being held at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center in West Miami-Dade. He also has an out-of-county hold for yet another grand theft case.

Standing at 6 feet, 5 inches tall, Highsmith, an important part of the Heat’s rotation, was not with his teammates during Wednesday night’s game at the Kaseya Center in downtown Miami.

His absence might be related to what happened on Tuesday night, after he left the Kaseya Center following the Heat’s 121-95 win against the Orlando Magic.

Wednesday night, the Heat released a statement that reads in part:

“We have been made aware that Highsmith was involved in a car accident heading home from last night’s game… Our hearts go out to those who were injured.”

Statement from Miami Heat

Published reports indicate Highsmith crashed into someone who was helping another person on the road, critically injuring the victim, who had to have their leg partially amputated.

Reports state Highsmith was not injured, and as of Wednesday, he has not been charged.

Before Wednesday night’s home game with the Spurs, Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra took the podium.

“We’re focused on our defensive identity,” he said.

However, Spoelstra said nothing about Highsmith’s absence or the devastating wreck. Media members were also warned not to ask about the incident.

The Heat won Wednesday’s game, defeating the Spurs 116-104.

Highsmith was listed as out on Wednesday for personal reasons. No timetable has been specified for his return to the team.

As of late Wednesday night, it remains unclear where the crash took place, the number of victims and their conditions.

7News reached out to Miami-Dade Police, City of Miami Police and the Florida Highway Patrol. Officials with all three law enforcement agencies said they were not involved in Tuesday night’s crash and did not respond to it.

The scathing five-page report, released on Wednesday, shows a concerning trend at the seaquarium, indicating that, more than showing its age, it is a potential danger to animals and guests.

The seaquarium, which was the home of the killer whale known as Lolita for more than 50 years until the her death last August at 57, has recently been under fire by Miami-Dade County.

The USDA performed a routine check in October and found multiple violations, from inadequate housing for its marine mammals to a veterinary clinic overrun by ants.

Page 1 of the report states a sea lion waited weeks for cataract surgery. It reads:

“On 9/26/23, the medical record for ‘Sushi,’ an adult female California sea lion, stated that she had been holding her right eye closed and rubbing both eyes… By 10/15/23 and throughout the 3-day USDA inspection, she was completely refusing food, due to eye pain, per the medical records.”

USDA report

The housing for several animals was reported to be dangerous, but especially for a pair of dolphins: 30-year-old Ripley and 24-year-old Bimini.

The report states:

“On the morning of 9/22/23. one dolphin, ‘Ridley,’ housed at Flipper Stadium, presented to trainers with a two-inch nail, mangrove pods, and small pieces of shell in his throat. On the morning of 10/14/23, one dolphin, ‘Bimini,’ in Dolphin Harbor presented to trainers with a broken bolt in her mouth.”

USDA report

Back in January, Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava pushed for a termination of the county’s lease with the seaquarium. At that time, seaquarium officials said they uphold “high standards of animal care.”

Exclusive 7News video showed Kim Dewayne Clenney, 60, and Deborah Lyn Clenney, 57, arriving at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center early Tuesday morning.

The two appeared in bond court, where their attorneys asked the judge to request corrections to allow them to bond since they’ve already posted their bond.

“Sir, you were arrested for, it says, offenses against computer users,” the judge said. “These are serious charges so it’s important that you stay in touch with your attorney.”

Their attorneys released the following statement to 7News:

On January 30th, Kim and Deborah Clenney were surprised in their home in Texas by Florida authorities executing an extradition warrant to place them under arrest and transport them back to Florida. Recognizing the absurdity and excessiveness of this action, a Texas judged ordered them released after two days. Today, Kim and Deborah voluntarily surrendered to the Turner Gilford Knight Correction Center in Miami Dade County, posted bond and are being released. They have both been charged with unlawful access to a computer. The allegations are frivolous and entirely without merit. The charge is such an overreach by law enforcement that it seems clear they are being targeted for being witnesses in their daughter’s case. This misuse of power and show of force is simply an attempt to bully them and scare them off from supporting their daughter, which will never happen.

Ratzan & Faccidomo

Both were previously taken into custody in Austin, Texas, on an out-of-state warrant. A Miami-Dade circuit judge signed arrest warrants for the couple last week, charging them each with a felony count of unauthorized access to a computer that once belong to their daughter’s boyfriend, Christian Obumseli.

Their daughter, 27-year-old Courtney Clenney, faces the same new charge. Jail records show she’s been held without bond on a second-degree murder charge since August 2022.

Clenney, who had used the name Courtney Tailor on such platforms as Instagram and OnlyFans, fatally stabbed Obumseli at the couple’s Miami apartment in April 2022 as the culmination of a “tempestuous and combative relationship” that began in November 2020, prosecutors said previously.

Clenney has acknowledged killing Obumseli but said she was acting in self-defense. Her attorney, Frank Prieto, previously said that Obumseli was regularly abusive.

An attorney for the Obumseli family released a statement following the arrest of Deborah and Kim:

“The Obumseli family is saddened to hear the reports that Courtney’s parents illegally took possession of Christian’s laptop. This is yet another disturbing reminder of the horrible crimes committed against their family. We support the State Attorney’s Office’s thorough investigation into Christian’s murder and continue to seek justice through the criminal and civil justice system. We are reserving further comment at this time until documentation about this arrest is released by law enforcement.

What cannot be forgotten is the daily pain felt by Christian’s loved ones because a smart, caring, critical member of their lives was stolen from them because of failures by his abuser, the One Paraiso apartment complex, and the other security and management companies who did not act to protect this innocent victim of domestic violence.”

Kimberly Wald

In January, the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office released a video of a confrontation between Courtney and Obumseli, showing the violent nature of their relationship. This incident was one of many caught on video before Courtney murdered the 27-year-old on April 3, 2022.

Clenney was arrested in Hawaii several days after the stabbing, but investigators believe she gave Obumseli’s computer to her parents some time between the killing and her arrest. According to the arrest warrants, detectives recovered text messages where the parents discuss trying to gain access to the computer. She is currently awaiting trail for murder.

Miami-Dade officials said the parents had no contact with their daughter during their time behind bars.

The attorney for the parents has scheduled a news conference on Wednesday morning. The Clenneys are expected to be there.

Rescue crews responded to Miami Beach where three women were rushed to Jackson Memorial Hospital with severe injuries.

Police arrested 25-year-old Jaymes Whitney for stealing and crashing a vehicle, resulting in a trail of trauma and destruction.

“Very long, arrest affidavit,” the judge said.

Miami Beach police said it all started when a licence plate reader detected a stolen car entered the city from the MacArthur Causeway. Police located Whitney inside a Nissan Altima and began following it.

Police said once they were on Whitney’s tail, Whitney hit the gas, going at a high rate of speed, in an attempt to flee police. That is when the Nissan Altima crashed into the busy street of 15th and Alton, injuring an Uber driver and its three passengers.

Whitney got out of the car and tried to make a run for it before officers held the suspect at gunpoint. Another officer used her taser against Whitney but the jolt didn’t immediately work.

The 6-foot-5, 270-pound suspect struggled with police for six minutes as Whitney actively resisted arrest. According to police, during the grueling takedown, Whitney tried to resist arrest by scratching the officer.

A witness on the scene shared a photo of the suspect under arrest after minutes of fighting back.

In a statement to 7News, police said, “Thanks to the utilization of cutting-edge technology and the prompt actions taken by the Miami Beach Police Department officers, the defendant, who showed a complete disregard for public safety, was apprehended without any further incident.”

Whitney is charged with several charges including possession of a controlled substance, grand theft of a vehicle, and battery on a law enforcement officer. Whitney remains in jail at Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center.

The passengers of the Uber and the driver are expected to make a full recovery.

The investigation, reported by The Miami Herald on Friday, comes months after Meiner won the race to become Miami Beach mayor on a platform of ethics and public safety.

“Protecting our residents, reducing crime, a safer city,” he said after the results of the Nov. 21 runoff election were confirmed.

Now the Brooklyn, New York, native is dealing with old allegations and what appears to be a current into his conduct at the Miami SEC offices, where he is also employed as as attorney.

The Miami Herald reported the SEC’s human resources officials from Washington, D.C., are interviewing Meiner’s current and former co-workers about sexual harassment claims made against the married mayor, allegations that preceded his mayoral win.

7News reached out to the SEC to confirm the report. A representative from the federal agency told us they don’t comment on personnel matters.

Before Friday’s article, the Herald reported on alleged unwanted sexual advances made by Meiner to co-workers. The Nov. 17 article provided one attorney’s account, alleging that Meiner walked into her office in 2016, looking for something more than just co-worker status.

The article states Meiner “wished to get an apartment to carry on an affair with her, triggering an internal review.”

In a separate claim, another woman alleges that as a law student and a former intern, she kept being asked out by Meiner, and was told she was “beautiful and smart” before having to send “several very direct texts reminding him he had a wife and kids and reminding him I was in a very serious relationship.”

Back in November, 7News reported Jessica Holly asked Meiner about the allegations.

“It’s a hit piece. I’ve said it’s a false story,” he said.

When asked whether there’s no truth to the allegations, Meiner replied, “No, no, no, no.”

7News reporter Sheldon Fox visited Miami Beach City Hall on Friday to interview Meiner after his office did not return 7News’ calls or text messages.

When Fox asked an employee whether there was anyone in the mayor’s office who could comment on the SEC investigation, the employee responded, “Nobody.”

When asked again whether anyone could talk to 7News, the employee replied, “Not right now.”

7News will continue to reach out to Meiner’s office for comment on the reportedly ongoing investigation.

The bodycam footage, obtained exclusively by 7News, captured the officers on the move to help Sherllay Debe Petion, who was already in labor when she got in a Lyft ride headed to the hospital, Jan. 24.

Baby Bithia’s unique arrival into the world happened under an Interstate 95 overpass, along Northeast 135th Street.

In the end, Petion and her baby daughter would be healthy and at Jackson North Medical Center in North Miami Beach, where paramedics with Miami-Dade Fire Rescue rushed them.

Speaking with 7News several days after Bithia was born, Petion said she had hoped to make it to the hospital in that Lyft SUV, but her daughter wouldn’t wait.

The bodycam video showed one of the first officers to arrive at the scene, Officer Tamara Numa Richard. She described the dramatic day at the office.

“You can see the chief in the corner right here,” she said as she pointed at the bodycam video.

Richard had been randomly chosen that day to ride with her boss, North Miami Police Chief Cherise G. Gause.

“I’m telling her that the baby’s OK,” said Richard.

There was double the pressure and triple the stress, as Richard and Gause stood outside that Toyota SUV and helped Petion through her delivery.

Petion’s cousin, Cherley Zamor. was in the vehicle assisting as well.

“Which way do you feel like coming out [of the SUV]?” a first responder is heard asking Petion.

MDFR officials took it from there and took the mother and daughter to Jackson North.

All of it made for an emotional day for Richard.

“I was just making sure that Mom knew that her baby was OK,” she said.

Bithia’s birth hit close to home for Richard, herself a new mother, who helped another mom in need.

As for whether she had ever responded to a scene where a baby was being delivered, Richard replied, “That was my first time.”

When asked how she felt after Petion was taken to the hospital, Richard said, “Everything that I signed up for, this job, and that day all over again, this was the first time that I was – I felt like I finally helped someone, because it could have been me.”

Richard said she even discussed potential play dates for her baby with Petion and her daughter.

Valentin Marrero reached out to 7News, saying he was disturbed by cellphone video showing Wednesday’s classroom brawl involving her daughter and another student in science class.

According to the concerned parent, his 16-year-old daughter, a freshman at the school, had been having issues with the other student for days.

The video shows the classmate standing over Marrero’s daughter and getting into an argument with her. A teacher is seen attempting to defuse the situation.

Seconds later, the classmate who is standing is seen striking Marrero’s daughter several times, and the hits keep on coming.

“Hey, enough!” the teacher is heard saying.

The teacher is then seen standing between both students.

“Stop!” the teacher is heard saying to the student who is standing.

But the educator was unable to prevent the student who was standing from pulling Marrero’s daughter by the hair, dragging her through the floor along with her desk.

“There she goes, there she goes!” said Marrero as he showed 7News the cellphone video. “She grabs my daughter right by her hair, and she drags her, and then [the teacher says], ‘Stop, stop, stop, stop, stop!’ Look at that.”

It was at that point when, Marrero said, his daughter had no choice but to defend herself.

“I mean, what else can you do?” he said.

The footage shows Marrero’s daughter and the other student exchanging blows.

Video recorded from another vantage point captured other classmates attempting to break up the fight.

In the end, Marrero said, his ex-wife picked up their daughter early from school and took her to the hospital, where a doctor checked out her injuries and prescribed medicine.

Marrero said he doesn’t know what happened to the aggressor.

“We don’t know if the girl got arrested. We don’t know what happened to the girl,” he said.

Marrero said his daughter will not be attending school on Thursday because her injuries are too severe. He said he has filed a police report but has heard nothing from Davie Police or Broward County Public Schools about what kind of discipline, if any, was put forth on the girl who attacked his daughter.

“I want the girl to get arrested. I want them to press charges on the girl, and I want her to get arrested,” said Marrero. “I don’t want [my daughter] to go to school with that girl any longer.”

Marrero said his daughter had been trying to switch all the classes she takes with the other student, going from a handful of courses to just two.

A spokesperson for BCPS confirmed the student seen striking Marrero’s daughter has been suspended. Furthermore, the principal of the school will be reaching out to Marrero’s family.

In an incident report, a spokesperson for Davie Police said they are aware of the fight, and “the case remains active as we continue to investigate the circumstances.”

On Thursday, Marrero told 7News that he spoke with police and school officials and he is not satisfied with the measures being taken, adding that he plans to press charges.

While Courtney Clenney awaits her trial for her boyfriend’s murder, there is now a new twist in the case.

On Tuesday, 60-year-old Kim Clenney and his wife, 57-year-old Deborah Lyn Clenney, were arrested in their hometown in Austin, Texas.

Courtney herself now faces additional charges as well.

The arrest of the 26-year-old’s parents comes after the alleged hacking of a laptop that belonged to the murder victim, Christian Obumseli. The Clenney family had the computer in their possession after Obumseli’s 2022 killing.

In court documents first obtained by 7News, authorities alleged “Courtney Taylor Clenney (“subject 1”), Kim Dewayne Clenney (“subject 2”), and Deborah Lyn Clenney (“subject 3″) who, together as principals of one another along with other uncharged individuals, did commit one (1) count of unauthorized access or excessive access to a computer, computer system, or electronic device of Christian Obumseli and/or his estate, a third-degree felony.”

The arrest form alleges that while Courtney was in jail, she and her parents worked with others to obtain a PIN code to gain “unlawful access” to the late Obumseli’s computer.

Once they figured out the code, Kim texted the group, “Hell yeah! That PIN worked!”

During a Miami-Dade court hearing in 2022, Courtney’s parents shared an “I love you” with their defendant daughter.

Now, all three of them are defendants.

Courtney has claimed self-defense in the death of Obumseli.

Attorneys who are representing the Obumseli family responded to the arrest of Clenney’s parents.

“Clearly, what they did was illegal. Clearly, the state attorney’s office was correct in filing charges,” said Larry Handfield.

“What happened here is just another example of what this family continues to do, that Courtney committed this heinous crime, her parents now are committing this crime of breaking into his laptop,” said Kimberly Wald. “Obumseli’s family didn’t deserve this. Christian didn’t deserve this, he is the victim, and the family knows that justice will prevail.”

Wald also released the following statement:

The Obumseli family is saddened to hear the reports that Courtney’s parents illegally took possession of Christian’s laptop. This is yet another disturbing reminder of the horrible crimes committed against their family. We support the State Attorney’s Office’s thorough investigation into Christian’s murder and continue to seek justice through the criminal and civil justice system. We are reserving further comment at this time until documentation about this arrest is released by law enforcement.

What cannot be forgotten is the daily pain felt by Christian’s loved ones because a smart, caring, critical member of their lives was stolen from them because of failures by his abuser, the One Paraiso apartment complex, and the other security and management companies who did not act to protect this innocent victim of domestic violence

Kimberly Wald

Documents connected to the hacking case also named Courtney’s legal defense team members as involved persons, none of whom have been charged.

It remains unclear when Kim and Deborah will make their first virtual court appearance.

Miami Police rushed to the scene around 8 p.m. at 16th Avenue and South Dixie Highway in Miami on Monday.

7News cameras showed a Mini Cooper crashed against a tree, smashed up to bits. Various parts of the car and glass were scattered all over the street.

The collision temporarily shut down southbound traffic from Interstate 95 by the Rickenbacker Causeway to Southwest 17th Avenue for several hours. The car was towed away just before 11 p.m., Monday.

Detectives are still working to determine the cause of the crash.

Please check back on WSVN.com and 7News for more details on this developing story.

Wednesday’s incident along the 500 block of Northwest 11th Street was so violent and gory, 7News blurred out part of the footage.

Still images showed the victim in the immediate aftermath. He suffered severe injuries to his right arm and other parts of his body.

“That’s real scary. Dog’s mouth full of blood, so I don’t know what’s taking place,” said an area resident.

According to Florida City Police, the victim was passing by a home when the pair of vicious dogs got loose from behind the home’s gate and came with fury.

The canines easily brought the man to the ground, biting continuously and shaking his arm like a chew toy. The ferocious animals maintained a strong grip on the wounded victim, undeterred by witnesses who honked their car horns.

Those motorists tried their best to stop the mauling, but they didn’t want to also be hurt by the four-legged attackers.

“I don’t like them pit bulls,” said a witness who identified herself as Ms. Jones.

Florida City Police and Miami-Dade Fire Rescue units eventually responded to the scene. Paramedics airlifted the victim to Jackson South Trauma.

Miami-Dade County Animal Services also responded and seized both dogs.

The ordeal was over, but bloodstains marked the spot where horror struck for a defenseless man.

MDAS officials said the dogs may have to be euthanized if they are deemed a threat to the community.

Miguel Ortiz was killed on Feb. 15, 2022, as seen on dashcam videos from inside a delivery truck and other footage obtained by 7News. The victim is seen pedaling on the truck’s rear-view mirror moments before he was hit.

On Thursday, his brother, Gustavo Ortiz, and his mother, Elba Camanera Ortiz, said they are still devastated.

“It’s just indescribable,” said Gustavo. “Watching your mother suffering like that, you can actually cut the pain in the air with a knife.”

Police said Miguel was riding his bike on Dade Boulevard in Miami Beach when a truck driver who was making a food delivery turned right on Purdy Avenue, struck the cyclist and ran him over.

Speaking as Gustavo translated, Camanera Ortiz described her deceased son as a kind person.

“[He was] somebody who will give you help and compassion unconditionally,” she said.

7Skyforce hovered above the scene of the crash two years ago. It was later followed by memorials paying tribute to Miguel’s memory.

The family’s attorney, Judd Rosen, also spoke with 7News on Thursday.

“A wonderful family, a 50-year-old young man, athletic, and his mom never got to say goodbye,” he said.

In recent days, Rosen won a multimillion-dollar judgment for the Ortiz family. He and his team used the dashcam videos to make their point in court.

The truck driver, Jairo Restrepo, is heard having a cellphone conversation in Spanish.

Rosen said he didn’t see the cyclist.

“He fell victim to a distracted driver,” he said.

The attorney said Restrepo signaled late before turning.

“He couldn’t see, because he wasn’t paying attention,” said Rosen.

A store surveillance camera showed Miguel on his bike and the truck moments before impact. A building blocked what comes next, but the camera captured audio of the crash.

Just to the west, a dashcam from an Uber vehicle captured the immediate aftermath of the crash from another point of view.

“Should we stop and make sure he’s OK?” a woman is heard saying in the video.

“He’s not OK,” a man is heard saying.

Performance Transportation LLC., the company that owns the meat truck, offered the Ortiz family an $80,000 settlement. The offer was declined.

The case went to trial, and Rosen said a Miami-Dade court found “negligence against the driver, finding of damages of $5.2 million, but none of that is going to bring Miguel back.”

“It has been bad. It has been really bad,” said Gustavo. “Please, pay attention on the road. We don’t really want anybody to go through anything like this. In our case, it was catastrophic.”

After the crash, Miami Beach Police said the cyclist was at fault for not yielding, but attorneys in court proved otherwise.

North Miami Police and Miami-Dade Fire Rescue units arrived underneath the overpass on Northwest 135th Street just before 5 p.m., Wednesday.

The mother began going into labor at home and called a Lyft driver. She told the motorist to book it and take her to the hospital.

“So she just said, ‘Let’s go, let’s go, let’s go!'” said the driver.

At some point during the ride, the mother called her cousin, Cherley Zamor.

“She was screaming ’cause, I guess, the baby was coming,” said Zamor.

Zamor said got in her car to race to race behind the Lyft SUV carrying her pregnant cousin.

“And I followed,” said Zamor.

At some point, the Lyft driver said, he knew they wouldn’t make it to the hospital, so he pulled over right under I-95.

When asked whether anybody had ever delivered a baby in his vehicle whole working for Lyft, the driver replied, “It’s the first time.”

Zamor pulled up under the overpass moments later and got jumped into the backseat of the rideshare SUV.

“She was just screaming, ‘Ow, it hurts!’ That’s it,” said Zamor.

Zamor said she called 911 and helped deliver her cousin’s baby.

“And told her to push. That’s the only thing I could do, ’cause the head was already out,” she said, “so she pushed, the baby came out, I picked her up, tapped her on the butt, wrapped her in the towel and waited for the cops.”

Once officials arrived, they were able to transport both the mother and her newborn daughter to Jackson North Medical Center.

Zamor said she was grateful for the added help, even though she and the Lyft driver did the heavy lifting.

“He was very helpful. We’re thankful for him,” she said. “Lyft should tip him and reward him.”

Officials said there were no problems during transport to the hospital, and both patients are doing well.

“We’re happy. It’s a healthy baby girl. She’s in health; that’s all that matters,” said Zamor. “I’m proud of myself.”

According to officials, the driver, who appeared to be under the influence, struck the officer’s vehicle head-on as the suspected drunk driver headed southbound on the street. The sergeant was reportedly sitting in his police car on the side of the road at the time of the collision.

Two other officers who were working on the robbery call were outside of their vehicle when the driver came towards them. They were forced to jump out of the way to avoid impact, police said.

The sergeant was airlifted by Miami-Dade Fire Rescue to be transported to Jackson South Medical Center; his condition is unknown.

Miami-Dade Police Department’s DUI squad assisted Florida City Police during this incident as they believed the driver was intoxicated at the time of the crash.

It remains unclear if the driver will be facing any charges.

Please check back on WSVN.com and 7News for more details on this developing story.

The fatal shooting occurred on Nov. 13.

“I’m not getting a pulse on him,” an officer is heard saying in the video.

“What?” responds another officer.

“I’m not getting a pulse on him,” said the officer.

Police were responding after a man reportedly shot and killed three men outside his home.

Kassandra Rivera and her family came to the corner of Northeast 123rd Street and Fifth Avenue after learning of her family member’s death.

“One’s my uncle, and two are my cousin. All I know is that it was some neighbors or something. A dispute,” said Rivero.

Police said the three victims, identified as Hector Rivera, and his adult sons, Frankie and Jeremy, were shot in a courtyard outside the apartment of the suspect.

“I tried to avoid it as much as I could, man. Then his sons showed up,” said the suspect.

Pierce Hoempler, the suspect, told police he had no choice but to do it.

“Maintenance kids pulled up and started rushing me,” he said.

Hoempler said the maintenance man at the apartment complex and his two kids had come after him outside his home and they were looking to attack him.

“Then they started swinging, and I had no choice. I had no choice,” said Hoempler.

The officers, heard on bodycam, discussed the shooter’s story.

“He said it was out of self-defense. The maintenance guys came and jumped him,” said the officer.

Police quickly arrested Hoempler and took him to the North Miami Police Department where he was questioned about the incident.

“Where did you place the firearm?” the officer asked Hoempler.

“It’s right there on the table, right when they walk in,” the suspect responds.

North Miami Police have not released details on the initial encounter between the maintenance man and his two sons and the suspect. Police said all victims were unarmed.

Hoempler remains in jail at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center and is being charged with three counts of second-degree murder.

The bodycam footage captured the moment Hollywood Police officers caught and cuffed the suspects in broad daylight along Washington Street, between 52nd and 56th streets, Dec. 26.

“Get out of the car! Get out of the car!” an officer is heard yelling in the video.

The video, acquired by 7News, follows a carjacking, police pursuit and crash, investigators said.

Before the takedown in the street, there was the dramatic move officers made while behind the wheel of their police vehicle to apprehend the subjects in a stolen yellow Chevrolet Camaro.

To slow the crooks’ roll, officers got gadget-happy, by activating their Grappler device, which shoots netting that slings and disables the tire of the getaway car.

Surveillance video shows the skidding Camaro smash into a gate with officers right on their tail.

A dash camera captured the officers Inside the cruiser, as well as the actual deployment mechanism used to put The Grappler in motion.

The suspected thieves were immediately stopped in their tracks. Officers’ tense commands made at gunpoint ensued seconds later.

The two 17-year-olds inside the Camaro were busted after going down … by way of The Grappler.

7News cameras on Wednesday night captured the fence involved in the crash, still unrepaired.

Both juveniles involved in the carjacking have pending cases.