Geraldo Ulises Camellón Fernández, a Cuban resident in West Palm Beach, was arrested in Miami Springs after being accused of stealing a Mercedes Benz car at the Miami International Airport in an attempt to recover his passport and board a flight to Cuba.
Camellón arrived at the airport with the intention of traveling to Havana, but upon presenting himself at the airline counter, he realized that he had forgotten his Cuban passport in his vehicle. When he went out to retrieve it, he discovered that his car had been towed for being improperly parked.
Desperate not to miss his flight, the man stole a Mercedes Benz that was parked outside and began chasing another car, supposedly to leave the airport as soon as possible.
"A Mercedes was parked outside, he didn't have a passport and took the car. He stole it to quickly go get the passport," the prosecution stated during the court hearing this Wednesday.
The incident escalated when a woman reported that the Mercedes Benz was aggressively following her from the airport parking lot. The victim informed the police that the driver was making dangerous maneuvers to stay behind her on the road.
Law enforcement agents attempted to stop the vehicle driven by the Cuban. They turned on the emergency lights, but Camellón Fernández ignored the signals and drove for five blocks before being intercepted by police reinforcements.
When questioned about his behavior, the accused replied: "I was following the lady in the other car because I didn't know how to get out of the airport."
The situation became even more complicated when authorities inspected the vehicle and discovered a firearm in a bag located in the passenger seat. “That is grounds to hold him without bail,” the prosecution stated during the hearing.
Camellón Fernández was transferred to the office of the Miami-Dade sheriff, where he explained that he attempted to board his flight by showing a photo of his passport, but the airline denied him boarding.
In the hearing, Judge Mindy S. Glazer asked the Cuban if he was working, to which the young man replied, “Not at the moment.” Lacking resources to hire a private attorney, he was appointed a public defender.
The Cuban faces charges of armed robbery and fleeing from authorities. He has been denied bail while the judicial process against him continues. América Noticias specified that the young Cuban also has a pending immigration order. He will return to appear in court this Friday.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Incident at Miami Airport
Why did Geraldo Ulises Camellón Fernández steal a car at Miami Airport?
Geraldo Ulises Camellón Fernández stole a car at Miami International Airport because he had forgotten his passport in his vehicle. Upon discovering that his car had been towed, he decided to take a Mercedes Benz in an attempt to retrieve his passport and not miss his flight to Cuba. His desperation to not miss the flight led him to commit the theft.
What charges is Camellón Fernández facing after the incident at the airport?
Geraldo Ulises Camellón Fernández faces charges of armed robbery and fleeing from authorities, and he has been denied bail while the legal proceedings against him continue. The severity of the charges increased upon the discovery of a firearm in the stolen vehicle.
What other backgrounds do Cubans involved in crimes in Miami have?
In Miami, several violent and criminal cases involving Cubans have been reported, including armed robberies, kidnappings, and assaults. These incidents reflect a worrying pattern in the city.
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