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Mario Perez of Pembroke Pines, Florida Arrested for Armed Assault

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Mario-Perez-300x169Mario Perez of Pembroke Pines, Florida was arrested on April 17 for allegedly assaulting two teenagers, Tyler Muraida and a 15-year-old friend, with a gun because their car was making too much noise as they were driving through the neighborhood.

Perez, 49, faces charges of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon without intent to kill, and two counts of armed burglary. He was denied bond by Judge Michael Usan during a bail hearing yesterday at the request of prosecutor John Tolley.

Tolley asked the judge to deny Perez bond to “protect the community as well as the victims,” who he said are “terrified [Perez] could do something” because of the proximity of their homes.

According to the police report, the alleged incident occurred in a gated community near Interstate 75 and Pines Boulevard. Muraida, 19, and his friend were driving through the neighborhood at night in a noisy convertible with the top down.

Perez was annoyed by the vehicle’s engine noise as the two teens drove past his home. He went outside and followed them in his own vehicle. Muraida tried to exit the community, but as he was waiting for the security gate to open, the older man caught up, got out of his vehicle, and aimed a gun at them.

Perez reportedly cursed at Muraida and threatened to shoot him if he moved the car. He ordered the 19-year-old to turn off the car and take out the keys, and then reached into the convertible and punched Muraida in the face.

Next, Perez went to the passenger side of the vehicle and placed his gun at the back of the 15-year-old’s head. He reportedly told the teen that he had 10 seconds to start the vehicle and leave or he would shoot him. He started counting down from 10, but the teen managed to find the keys and start the car. Perez struck him with the gun, causing a minor swelling, and told them that he would kill them if he ever saw them again, the police report said.

According to Pembroke Pines Police, Miami Police Sgt. James Ross Faris was a passenger in Perez’s car at the time of the incident. He told investigators that he witnessed the altercation, but he couldn’t exactly see what happened because of his position. The sergeant’s actions during the incident are reportedly being investigated by internal affairs.

Perez told investigators that Muraida was speeding and almost struck his 15-year-old son and a bicyclist. Muraida was not cited for speeding inside the community by police.

Court records show that Perez was a police officer with the Hialeah Police Department from 1988 to 1994. He works as a security guard and has no criminal record. The two teenagers he allegedly assaulted are his neighbors; the 15-year-old reportedly lives two streets from his home and his teenage son is friends with him, the boy’s mother told the press.

Source: 4.28.17 Mario Perez Armed Assault Against Two Teens.pdf

Federal Agent Angel Echevarria of Miami, Florida Arrested for Aggravated Assault With a Firearm

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Angel-Echevarria-169x300Angel Echevarria of Miami, Florida is standing trial today on three counts of aggravated assault with a firearm. The former soldier, who now serves in dual roles as a Department of Homeland Security special agent and a deputy U.S. marshal, is facing the charges because of a road rage incident that led him to fire his service weapon at another vehicle.

Echevarria, 44, told investigators that he acted in self-defense when he fired his handgun. He was off-duty at the time and was driving with his wife and their five children. After his arrest, he pleaded not guilty during his first court appearance and blamed the other driver for his actions. He was released on a $15,000 bail.

According to the arrest report, the incident took place outside the Town Center mall in Boca Raton. Echevarria was driving east on Glades Road with his family. The victims, who have been identified as Alla Juma of Pompano Beach, his three-year-old son, and his brother Mahde Juma, were also driving on the same road.

Alla Juma reportedly cut off Echevarria as he changed lanes so he could turn into Town Center mall to pick up his wife. Echevarria became upset and honked his car horn at the Juma brothers, who allegedly flipped him off before pulling into the mall parking lot.

Echevarria followed them into the mall lot and “aggressively” drove his vehicle to where the Juma brothers had parked, a surveillance video shows. He and his wife appeared to be angry and the agent reportedly yelled and pointed his handgun at the Jumas.

Fearing for their lives, Alla Juma reversed his vehicle and attempted to get away from Echevarria, but he bumped into the federal agent’s wife as he was pulling out. Echevarria fired his gun in response, hitting the rear side of the vehicle as it drove away. Nobody was injured during the incident.

Echevarria later told investigators that Juma swerved into his lane on Glades Road, which caused him to bump his vehicle into the rear of another car. He approached Juma’s vehicle in the parking lot to get their names for the police, but then saw Alla Juma “reaching for a gun.” That’s when he drew his gun and yelled at the Jumas to “put it down.”

When asked why he made the decision to fire his weapon, Echevarria told investigators that he thought the Jumas tried to kill him and his family on the road, then with a gun in the parking lot, and then with their car when they almost ran over his wife.

Allah Juma denied Echevarria’s version of events, saying he didn’t reach for a gun and the music on his car radio prevented him from hearing what Echevarria said.

In 2015, Echevarria requested immunity from prosecution under Florida’s “stand your ground” law, but his request was denied based on witness testimonies and the surveillance video. Echevarria’s request was denied a second time in an appeals court, clearing the way for today’s trial.

 

Source: 4.21.17 Echevarria Aggravated Assault With a Firearm.pdf

Michael Mario Delgado Charged With Attempted Murder After Fight in Hialeah, Florida

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Michael-Mario-Delgado-240x300Michael Mario Delgado of Hialeah, Florida was arrested on January 26 for his alleged involvement in a fight that left Javier Prado severely wounded. Delgado, 23, faces charges for attempted second-degree murder, grand theft, and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. He was taken to Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center and bonded out the following day. News sources did not name an attorney for Delgado.

According to the police report, the fight took place at around 9:30 p.m. on January 26. Delgado and some other men, two of whom were identified as Christian Hernandez and Javier Prado, reportedly got into a fight in a mall parking lot at 6905 W. 12th Avenue in Hialeah.

Police said the fight started when a woman identified as Samantha Hernandez got pushed to the ground by one of the men. Her brother, Christian Hernandez, got out of his SUV to help her. He purportedly left his car running with the keys in the ignition. Delgado then allegedly jumped into the SUV, drove into the gathering crowd and ran over Prado before fleeing the scene. Other victims were able to jump out of the way of the vehicle.

The impact severely wounded Prado and left him with visible injuries on his head and chest. Fire rescue personnel found him unresponsive and had him airlifted to Jackson Memorial Hospital where he remains in critical condition.

Prado’s son told news sources that his father was trying to break up the fight when he was struck by the SUV. A witness named Julio Morales told the press that the fight purportedly started because of Samantha Hernandez—he described her as Delgado’s “gal”—but police did not corroborate that information.

Someone at the scene wrote down the vehicle’s license plate number and gave it to police. Delgado was arrested a few hours later.

Source: 1.27.17 Delgado Attempted Murder.pdf

Miss Florida USA Contestant Vanessa Barcelo Arrested for Aggravated Battery

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Vanessa-Barcelo-233x300Vanessa Barcelo of Hialeah, Florida, was arrested on December 21 for allegedly assaulting David Duperon at a party she threw at her home to promote her baking business. Duperon, 34, claims Barcelo, 26, pushed him from behind with an aluminum baseball bat and struck him him on his right shoulder. An unknown man reportedly joined the altercation and repeatedly hit the victim in the face and eye area.

Barcelo has been charged with aggravated battery, simple battery, and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. She was held at Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center and was later released after paying a $1,500 bond. The press did not name an attorney for Barcelo.

According to the police report, the alleged incident took place on Wednesday night at a house party Barcelo threw to promote her cake business, One Love Cakes. Barcelo and several of her guests purportedly became heavily intoxicated and at some point Duperon got into a heated argument with Barcelo, who reportedly ordered him to leave.

After Duperon left the house, Barcelo and an unknown man allegedly followed him and started pushing him on the sidewalk. Barcelo was reportedly armed with a baseball bat, which she used to strike Duperon on the shoulder. When Duperon disarmed Barcelo, the unknown man punched him in the face and knocked him down, and continued hitting him while he was on the ground.

Duperon called Hialeah police and had Barcelo arrested for aggravated assault. She denied striking the victim, but reportedly had blood on her hands that matched a cut under Duperon’s left eye. Duperon was taken to a hospital for treatment and is to have eye surgery today.

Barcelo suffered no injuries from the incident. She told news sources that she acted in defense because Duperon reportedly attacked her cousin during the party. Barcelo was crowned Miss Miami Lakes this year and was a contestant for Miss Florida USA, but did not win.

Source: 12.22.16 Barcelo Aggravated Assault.pdf