Congratulations to Officer Luis Lopez, our Officer of the Month for September, 2016.
Coral Gables officer saves elderly man in home invasion
Rosh Lowe | Sheldon Fox CORAL GABLES, FLA. (WSVN) - An elderly man is telling his story after he was the victim of a home invasion.
Pat Zervas, 83, is crediting Coral Gables Officer Luis Lopez with saving his life.
Zervas was in his home in September, on Capri Street, when, police said, he was attacked by Cedric Gray. “He jumped over the fence or he came through the fence from the house on Granada that backs up to my property,” Zervas said. “I was sitting on my back deck there, and that’s where he grabbed me by my neck and dragged me into the house.”
Police said Gray initially targeted a house up the street. The homeowner reportedly arrived home and found Gray, armed with a gun and a machete, burglarizing his home. The victim said he realized something was wrong when he saw an unknown car in his drive way and found his back windows busted. “He had started to pack up … pretty much my entire house,” said the first victim, who didn’t want to show his face.
As the victim called 911, he came face to face with Gray.
“He has the gun pointed at me at that point, walking down the driveway,” said the first victim.”He ended up hitting me over the head with the machete.”
Gray then reportedly advanced on Zervas’ home.
Officer Lopez responded to the scene. Lopez said he could hear Zervas crying for help as he was being chocked by the suspect.
“As I was running down the fence line, I could hear the elderly man gurgling and attempting to scream for help,” Lopez said. “You could hear him, that he was being choked.”
Gray reportedly ran to a bedroom. “He dove head-first out the window,” Lopez said. “I rushed forward, grabbed him by the legs, I pulled him towards me, and he continued kicking and struggling.”
Gray remains behind bars. Coral Gables police said he has a lengthy criminal history and now faces additional charges, including kidnapping, battery, assault and burglary.
“I’m glad that he was caught that day,” said the first victim. “I’m glad that the Coral Gables Police acted so quickly and I thought they did a great job.”
Copyright 2016 Sunbeam Television Corp. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Coral Gables officer saves elderly man in home invasion
Rosh Lowe | Sheldon Fox CORAL GABLES, FLA. (WSVN) - An elderly man is telling his story after he was the victim of a home invasion.
Pat Zervas, 83, is crediting Coral Gables Officer Luis Lopez with saving his life.
Zervas was in his home in September, on Capri Street, when, police said, he was attacked by Cedric Gray. “He jumped over the fence or he came through the fence from the house on Granada that backs up to my property,” Zervas said. “I was sitting on my back deck there, and that’s where he grabbed me by my neck and dragged me into the house.”
Police said Gray initially targeted a house up the street. The homeowner reportedly arrived home and found Gray, armed with a gun and a machete, burglarizing his home. The victim said he realized something was wrong when he saw an unknown car in his drive way and found his back windows busted. “He had started to pack up … pretty much my entire house,” said the first victim, who didn’t want to show his face.
As the victim called 911, he came face to face with Gray.
“He has the gun pointed at me at that point, walking down the driveway,” said the first victim.”He ended up hitting me over the head with the machete.”
Gray then reportedly advanced on Zervas’ home.
Officer Lopez responded to the scene. Lopez said he could hear Zervas crying for help as he was being chocked by the suspect.
“As I was running down the fence line, I could hear the elderly man gurgling and attempting to scream for help,” Lopez said. “You could hear him, that he was being choked.”
Gray reportedly ran to a bedroom. “He dove head-first out the window,” Lopez said. “I rushed forward, grabbed him by the legs, I pulled him towards me, and he continued kicking and struggling.”
Gray remains behind bars. Coral Gables police said he has a lengthy criminal history and now faces additional charges, including kidnapping, battery, assault and burglary.
“I’m glad that he was caught that day,” said the first victim. “I’m glad that the Coral Gables Police acted so quickly and I thought they did a great job.”
Copyright 2016 Sunbeam Television Corp. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
The link below will take you to a news story about former Coral Gables Police Explorer and current Miami Beach Officer Eduardo Alba. He was a great explorer, soldier and officer. Officer Alba grew up in Coral Gables and attended Coral Gables High.
We are proud of this hero!
http://miami.cbslocal.com/2016/05/04/survivor-officer-survives-wounds-on-battlefield-and-at-home/
We are proud of this hero!
http://miami.cbslocal.com/2016/05/04/survivor-officer-survives-wounds-on-battlefield-and-at-home/
Coral Gables Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 7 Acknowledges One of Their Own.
January 8, 2016
CORAL GABLES, Fl --
Our heroes don't leap tall buildings in a single bound although they have been known to scale a fence or two. They don't wear a cape or drive a bat mobile but do wear bullet-proof vests and drive ordinary police vehicles. Today, on the eve of Law Enforcement Appreciation Day, we celebrate one of our own heroes, one whose life changed at 2am on December 3, 1978.
Bob Ottilige, then 34 years of age and already a 15-year veteran police officer, was dispatched to a disturbance (loud music). As it turned out, Bob was in the midst of an armed robbery in progress at the 300 block of Alcazar in the city of Coral Gables, Fl.
Officer Ottilige began a foot chase behind the perpetrator ending up in an alley where an altercation ensued. While being frisked, the perpetrator pulled out a weapon he had concealed in his waistband and proceeded to shoot Officer Ottilige in the chest. The bullet penetrated his chest, lungs, intestines, and came to rest in his spine.
This officer nearly lost his life after going into a coma and experiencing paralysis for some time. Not knowing whether he would survive or be paralyzed for the rest of his life, he began a life of daily pain, a total of 22 surgeries and months of rehabilitation.
The days and weeks spent in the hospital were only alleviated by the constant visits from brothers and sisters in blue. But the last 37 years have been bittersweet for Officer Ottilige. The bullet that still lies within his spine is a constant reminder of his fight to keep our streets safe.
No cape, no magical powers, but certainty an oath to uphold the law knowing full well that paying the ultimate price is only one call away. Please join us in acknowledging this hero for his work in law enforcement, for his many years of service and particularly for his dedication to the City of Coral Gables.
On behalf of The Coral Gables Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 7 thank you Officer Bob Ottilige.
January 8, 2016
CORAL GABLES, Fl --
Our heroes don't leap tall buildings in a single bound although they have been known to scale a fence or two. They don't wear a cape or drive a bat mobile but do wear bullet-proof vests and drive ordinary police vehicles. Today, on the eve of Law Enforcement Appreciation Day, we celebrate one of our own heroes, one whose life changed at 2am on December 3, 1978.
Bob Ottilige, then 34 years of age and already a 15-year veteran police officer, was dispatched to a disturbance (loud music). As it turned out, Bob was in the midst of an armed robbery in progress at the 300 block of Alcazar in the city of Coral Gables, Fl.
Officer Ottilige began a foot chase behind the perpetrator ending up in an alley where an altercation ensued. While being frisked, the perpetrator pulled out a weapon he had concealed in his waistband and proceeded to shoot Officer Ottilige in the chest. The bullet penetrated his chest, lungs, intestines, and came to rest in his spine.
This officer nearly lost his life after going into a coma and experiencing paralysis for some time. Not knowing whether he would survive or be paralyzed for the rest of his life, he began a life of daily pain, a total of 22 surgeries and months of rehabilitation.
The days and weeks spent in the hospital were only alleviated by the constant visits from brothers and sisters in blue. But the last 37 years have been bittersweet for Officer Ottilige. The bullet that still lies within his spine is a constant reminder of his fight to keep our streets safe.
No cape, no magical powers, but certainty an oath to uphold the law knowing full well that paying the ultimate price is only one call away. Please join us in acknowledging this hero for his work in law enforcement, for his many years of service and particularly for his dedication to the City of Coral Gables.
On behalf of The Coral Gables Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 7 thank you Officer Bob Ottilige.
CORAL GABLES POLICE DEPARTMENT
COMMUNITY AFFAIRS UNIT
2801 SALZEDO STREET
CORAL GABLES, FLORIDA 33134Office: 305-442-1600
Fax: 305-446-0148
For Immediate Release: November 16, 2015
Beginning October 1, 2015, the City of Coral Gables and the Coral Gables Police Department have implemented a new initiative in which we have designated the Coral Gables Police Department’s Main Lobby as a "Safe Haven" where people are able to meet to conduct their internet negotiated transactions, such as those done via Craigslist or other online marketplaces.
The Coral Gables Police Department encourage individuals, seeking to conduct a transaction for goods negotiated by way of the internet, to have the meetings at the Coral Gables Police Department Main Lobby to reduce the likelihood of a criminal act being committed. The Department will not be involved in setting the meetings, but the lobby can be used for this transaction any day of the week between the hours of 8:00AM and 8:00PM.
The following sales restrictions are not allowed to be conducted inside the Police Department Main Lobby:
1. Firearms, weapons or ammunition.
2. Drugs or drug paraphernalia.
3. Stolen property.
4. Hazardous chemicals or materials.
5. Large / bulky items such as furniture, bicycles, etc.
6. Social networking or personal service type business, meeting, dating, escort, etc.
7. Any transaction lasting more than fifteen (15) minutes.
8. Any other items, materials or goods that is illegal to sell or exchange, under applicable laws
Coral Gables Police Department
2801 Salzedo Street
Coral Gables Florida
33134
For more information please contact the Coral Gables Police Department Police Officer Desk at 305-460-5408.
###
SUBMITTED BY: OFFICER KELLY DENHAM
COMMUNITY AFFAIRS & MEDIA RELATIONS
COMMUNITY AFFAIRS UNIT
2801 SALZEDO STREET
CORAL GABLES, FLORIDA 33134Office: 305-442-1600
Fax: 305-446-0148
For Immediate Release: November 16, 2015
Beginning October 1, 2015, the City of Coral Gables and the Coral Gables Police Department have implemented a new initiative in which we have designated the Coral Gables Police Department’s Main Lobby as a "Safe Haven" where people are able to meet to conduct their internet negotiated transactions, such as those done via Craigslist or other online marketplaces.
The Coral Gables Police Department encourage individuals, seeking to conduct a transaction for goods negotiated by way of the internet, to have the meetings at the Coral Gables Police Department Main Lobby to reduce the likelihood of a criminal act being committed. The Department will not be involved in setting the meetings, but the lobby can be used for this transaction any day of the week between the hours of 8:00AM and 8:00PM.
The following sales restrictions are not allowed to be conducted inside the Police Department Main Lobby:
1. Firearms, weapons or ammunition.
2. Drugs or drug paraphernalia.
3. Stolen property.
4. Hazardous chemicals or materials.
5. Large / bulky items such as furniture, bicycles, etc.
6. Social networking or personal service type business, meeting, dating, escort, etc.
7. Any transaction lasting more than fifteen (15) minutes.
8. Any other items, materials or goods that is illegal to sell or exchange, under applicable laws
Coral Gables Police Department
2801 Salzedo Street
Coral Gables Florida
33134
For more information please contact the Coral Gables Police Department Police Officer Desk at 305-460-5408.
###
SUBMITTED BY: OFFICER KELLY DENHAM
COMMUNITY AFFAIRS & MEDIA RELATIONS
NEWS RELEASE-UPDATE
ARRESTED LUIS ALBERTO BASALO
DOB 11/05/1997
CASE NO.: 15-008353
DATE OF INCIDENT: October 31, 2015
DATE: November 6, 2015
OFFENSE: Armed Carjacking and Attempted 1st Degree Murder
LOCATION: 400-block Rosaro Avenue
On November 6, 2015 at 9:03 A.M., Investigators from the Coral Gables Police Department with assistance of the Miami Police Department and Miami Dade Police Department arrested, Luis Alberto Basalo, DOB 11/5/1997, at 2101 NW 18th Street, Miami, FL for the armed carjacking and shooting that occurred on October 31, 2015, at approximately 9:55 P.M., at the 400-block of Rosaro Avenue, Coral Gables. Basalo is charged with (1) count of armed carjacking, (2) counts of premeditated attempted murder and (1) count of possessing a firearm while committing an offense.
Since the incident, Coral Gables Detectives have been working closely with the City of Miami and Miami-Dade Police Departments, following-up several leads that led to this morning’s arrest. The subject, Luis Basalo was taken into custody at his residence, without incident. The two victims (one female and one male) who were shot by Luis Basalo, still remain at Ryder Trauma Center recovering from their injuries. The Coral Gables Police Department appreciates the public’s assistance in this investigation, which led to the apprehension of Luis Basalo.
####
SUBMITTED BY: OFFICER LAUREN POOLE
COMMUNITY AFFAIRS and MEDIA RELATIONS
ARRESTED LUIS ALBERTO BASALO
DOB 11/05/1997
CASE NO.: 15-008353
DATE OF INCIDENT: October 31, 2015
DATE: November 6, 2015
OFFENSE: Armed Carjacking and Attempted 1st Degree Murder
LOCATION: 400-block Rosaro Avenue
On November 6, 2015 at 9:03 A.M., Investigators from the Coral Gables Police Department with assistance of the Miami Police Department and Miami Dade Police Department arrested, Luis Alberto Basalo, DOB 11/5/1997, at 2101 NW 18th Street, Miami, FL for the armed carjacking and shooting that occurred on October 31, 2015, at approximately 9:55 P.M., at the 400-block of Rosaro Avenue, Coral Gables. Basalo is charged with (1) count of armed carjacking, (2) counts of premeditated attempted murder and (1) count of possessing a firearm while committing an offense.
Since the incident, Coral Gables Detectives have been working closely with the City of Miami and Miami-Dade Police Departments, following-up several leads that led to this morning’s arrest. The subject, Luis Basalo was taken into custody at his residence, without incident. The two victims (one female and one male) who were shot by Luis Basalo, still remain at Ryder Trauma Center recovering from their injuries. The Coral Gables Police Department appreciates the public’s assistance in this investigation, which led to the apprehension of Luis Basalo.
####
SUBMITTED BY: OFFICER LAUREN POOLE
COMMUNITY AFFAIRS and MEDIA RELATIONS