BY: 24/7 CRIME DESK | BocaNewsNow.com
BOCA RATON, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) (Copyright © 2023 MetroDesk Media, LLC) — The suspect arrested on the Florida Turnpike near Glades Road on Saturday is identified as a Charlotte, North Carolina man wanted for the attempted murder of a police officer. Larry Mendez-Ruiz is being held without bond in the Miami-Dade County Jail.
BocaNewsNow.com obtained the arrest report from the City of Miami Police Department which ultimately made the arrest following a chase on the Florida Turnpike which ended near Glades Road. The following is the narrative of the probable cause affidavit:
“On december 15, 2023, detectives of the city of miami tactical robbery unit along with ft. Lauderdale police roc unit were conducting surveillance on a silver toyota corolla bearing fl tag #1558 r regarding an armed robbery documented under ft. Lauderdale police case number 34-2312-236970, in which the same vehicle was used as a secondary spotter vehicle for the robbery. Detective barragan id 2023 of ft. Lauderdale police observed the vehicle meet with another toyota corolla bearing georgia temporary tag #8 789855 and a third toyota corolla bearing an unassigned new jersey tag # brhs. Detective barragan observed the toyota bearing fl tag #16bber and georgia temporary tag 855 pass by the victim prior to the robbery which parked nearby.
Subsequently, detective barragan then observed the same two offenders running back to the toyota bearing georgia offenders running back temporary tag (redacted). One which was carrying a firearm. Detective shields id 1308 of the ft. Lauderdale police, roc unit drove behind the vehicle at which point one of the occupants of the vehicle fired multiple shots at him, striking his vehicle. At approximately 1900 hours, detective ferreira id 44212 of the city of miami robbery unit, was raised by officer meza id 44402, who advised him of an armed robbery and the shooting involving a ft. Lauderdale detective.
Detective ferreira responded to the scene where he met with officer meza who provided him with a brief synopsis of the incident. He then proceeded to interview the victim, who stated he was walking back to his vehicle located at 90 ne 39 street when he was met by an unknown white hispanic male (clean shaven, approximately 6 feet tall wearing a black puffy hooded jacket with black jeans) (suspect 1). Suspect 1 brandished a black semi-automatic and pointed it at the victim while saying something in spanish which the victim did not understand because he does not speak spanish. At the same time, suspect 2, a white hispanic male with a full beard, approximately 510, wearing a white camouflage hoody, white hat, black pants, and black shoes approached the victim. As suspect 1 held the victim at gunpoint, suspect 2 removed the victims audemars piguet watch from his wrist valued at $100,000 dollars. Both suspects then ran into the offending vehicle (a 2005 silver toyota corolla, georgia temp tag (redacted). Shortly after the robbery, sergeant bahamonde 42776 located the silver toyota corolla bearing fl tag # tr. At n. W. 2 avenue and n. W. 46 street. A felony stop was conducted, and the co-defendant was detained pending further investigation. The co-defendant was subsequently transported to city of miami robbery office.
A review of the co-defendants telephone after obtained verbal consent to search revealed several voice and text messages as well as location pings shared with the defendant. It is clear the defendant was in one of the other toyotas which participated in the canvassing for potential victims. Additionally, timing advance records placed the defendants telephone in the area of the robbery and leaving the area after the robbery. Based on surveillance footage and witness statements the offenders of the robbery were picked up by a vehicle consistent in appearance to the toyota the defendant was driving.
Through investigative means it was determined the defendant was driving a blue toyota corolla bearing north carolina tag (redacted) which appeared identical to the new jersey toyota corolla tag (redacted). At 1001 hours a felony hit was placed on the defendants vehicle, the blue toyota corolla bearing north carolina tag (reacated).
Ft. Lauderdale police roc unit along with broward sheriff vipers officers pence and valles located the vehicle traveling northbound on the turnpike between sawgrass and glades roads. Officers pence and valle took then took the defendant into custody. Sergeant l. Reyes of the ft. Lauderdale police department spoke with the defendant who consented to speaking to city of miami police detectives.
Officer dolce id 41813 of the city of miami police department transported the defendant to the city of miami robbery office to be interviewed. Detective bonilla id 42676 read miranda per form in which the defendant waived his rights and agreed to speak to us.”
Larry Mendez-Ruiz remains in the Miami-Dade County Jail Thursday afternoon. He lists his home address as the 8100 block of Carrol Wood Drive in Charlotte, NC.
