Crime & Safety stories in Miami–Ft. Lauderdale

Nearly three months after a shooting in North Lauderdale that resulted in the death of 19-year-old O'Mari Doe, authorities have identified a fifth suspect, Matthew Holloway. Four others, including two adults and two teenagers, were previously arrested in connection with the incident.

A woman was arrested after leading police on a chase with a child in her vehicle, ultimately crashing head-on into a police cruiser. The incident raises concerns about child safety and reckless driving.

A 35-year-old woman, Julia Pilkington, was arrested in Hollywood after fleeing from police while driving with a child in her vehicle. She crashed head-on into a police cruiser, leading to charges of child neglect and reckless driving.

Jason Cloth, known for financing major films, has been indicted on wire fraud charges related to a $100 million Ponzi scheme. He allegedly misused investor funds for personal projects instead of film investments.

Demetrius Byrd, a former LSU football player, was arrested for aggravated assault on a Miami-Dade Transit bus. His mother argues that he needs mental health treatment rather than jail time due to a head injury from a past car accident.

A shooting at the Bite of Seattle festival resulted in the deaths of two bystanders and injuries to several others. Police have arrested a 15-year-old who was firing a ghost gun, but the bullets that killed the bystanders did not come from his weapon.

Jose Trinidad Rojas Pliego, a witness to a fatal shooting by an ICE agent in Houston, has been released from immigration detention after disputing the government's account of the incident. His release comes amid ongoing protests and calls for an independent investigation into the shooting.

Broward Sheriff's Office is seeking information on Matthew Holloway, the fifth suspect in a deadly shooting that occurred in May. The incident left one man dead and another injured, prompting a reward of up to $5,000 for tips leading to his arrest.

Hadi Matar was found guilty of federal terrorism charges for the 2022 stabbing of author Salman Rushdie, who suffered severe injuries. Matar's actions were linked to a decades-old death threat stemming from Rushdie's novel 'The Satanic Verses.'

A 38-year-old man was killed after being hit by a silver Mercedes SUV during a domestic disturbance in Boca Raton. The incident occurred in a parking lot on Monday morning, and police are seeking witnesses to the event.

Jacob Melvin Hart, a former youth pastor, has been sentenced to 40 years in federal prison for sexually exploiting children and possessing child sexual abuse material. His arrest at Miami International Airport revealed a history of child exploitation, including the use of spyware to record minors.

Christopher Chiofalo, a 35-year-old man with a lengthy arrest record, was arrested for a burglary at a local restaurant after he confessed upon viewing surveillance footage. He faces multiple charges, including armed burglary and grand theft.

Matthew Grant, 25, was arrested in Little Havana after crashing into two vehicles and fleeing police. Officers found meth and drug paraphernalia in his Louis Vuitton bag.

A driver was arrested for DUI after crashing a pickup truck into a residential home in Lauderhill on Wednesday morning. Authorities responded to the incident, highlighting ongoing concerns about impaired driving in the area.

The Florida Supreme Court has denied Beatrice Bijoux's petition to regain her law license after she was found not guilty by reason of insanity for a violent incident in 2022. Bijoux drove her SUV into diners, injuring four people, and was later placed on the inactive list for incapacity.

Julio Rodriguez, 51, was arrested for allegedly swindling a Miami-Dade homeowner out of a $9,000 deposit for a renovation project he never started. Rodriguez posed as a licensed contractor and admitted to the crime, citing financial hardship.

Marvin Colin, a 28-year-old Home Depot employee, has been arrested for allegedly defrauding the company of over $5,000 through unauthorized refunds. The fraudulent transactions occurred between June and July, leading to felony charges against him.

A driver was arrested after crashing a pickup truck into a home in Lauderhill on Wednesday morning. Authorities responded to the incident promptly.

Christian Jose Salgado, 49, was arrested for attacking a man in a Hialeah Walmart parking lot, causing severe injuries. The incident occurred months earlier, leaving the victim with multiple fractures and requiring emergency surgery.

A Davie landlord, Lennie Joseph Dufrene Jr., is facing felony battery charges after severely beating his mentally-ill tenant. The incident occurred shortly after Dufrene threatened to harm the tenant, who was later hospitalized under the Baker Act.

A bartender at the Hard Rock Cafe in Miami was violently shoved to the ground after confronting a man about inappropriate behavior. The incident, captured on video, has prompted police to seek information on the suspect.

On July 29, 2016, Drew Peterson, a former police officer, was sentenced to an additional 40 years in prison for attempting to hire a hitman to kill the prosecutor who convicted him of murdering his third wife. This case highlights ongoing issues of domestic violence and the lengths individuals may go to evade justice.

A Miami-Dade man, Kevin Monasterio, faces multiple charges for allegedly choking his girlfriend and abusing her dog during a domestic dispute. The incidents occurred at their home in Princeton, leading to the victim seeking help from authorities.

A driver was arrested for DUI after crashing into a vacant home in Lauderhill early Wednesday morning. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, and the incident is under investigation.

In response to evolving organized retail crime, states are enacting new laws to combat theft rings, including cargo theft and gift card fraud. Recent data shows a rise in shoplifting rates, prompting lawmakers to take action.

A man has been charged with the murder of El Taiger and made a court appearance recently. The case has garnered significant attention in the community.

A Georgia teenager has been sentenced to life in prison for his role in a deadly school shooting. The incident has raised concerns about school safety and gun violence in educational institutions.

The Trump administration has intensified airport arrests of foreign nationals with expired visas, including spouses of U.S. citizens. This new tactic broadens the scope of deportation efforts, affecting a larger group of individuals previously considered low-priority.

A Nevada judge has ruled that a 2008 police interview with Duane 'Keffe D' Davis can be used in his trial for the murder of Tupac Shakur. Davis, who faces life in prison, has made public statements about the case, which remains one of the most infamous unsolved murders in U.S. history.

Damián Valdez-Galloso, accused of murdering Cuban artist El Taiger, appeared in Miami-Dade court, rejecting a plea deal. Supporters of the victim wore T-shirts demanding justice as the case faces delays.