A suspected member of the violent gang MS-13 was arrested this Friday in the city of Coral Gables, in Miami-Dade County, after attempting to violently steal an occupied vehicle in broad daylight, according to local authorities.
The events occurred in the morning when a resident stopped at a stop sign near 1500 Red Road, at the intersection with Southwest 25 Street, in Miami-Dade County.
It was at that moment that a masked man approached the vehicle and attempted to force the driver to exit the car in order to steal it.
"The victim escaped and alerted the Coral Gables Police, who responded within minutes," said Sergeant Michelle Christensen, spokesperson for the police department, in statements reported by Local 10.
The arrest and the findings
Minutes after the call, the agents were able to apprehend the suspect in the vicinity of the Granada neighborhood, near West Miami.
A pistol, a knife, and a mask were found in his possession, items that he presumably used in an attempt to commit the robbery.
The individual was identified as Wilson Verela, 24 years old, originally from Honduras, who had recently been released from prison.
Criminal history and connections to MS-13
According to records from the Florida Department of Corrections (FDOC), Verela—also known by the aliases "El Low Key" and "Grifo"—was released on February 10 after serving a sentence for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, a crime for which he was arrested in October of the previous year and sentenced to one year and nine months in prison on February 8, 2024.
During the police interrogation, Verela admitted to being an active member of the MS-13, a transnational criminal organization known for its extreme violence and strong presence in Central America and various cities in the United States.
Given the seriousness of the case and the detainee's connections to an international gang, the Coral Gables Police are working alongside federal agencies such as the Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to determine Verela's immigration status in U.S. territory.
Authorities have urged citizens to contact the Miami-Dade County Crime Stoppers line at 305-471-8477 anonymously if they have any information related to this or other similar incidents.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Arrest of an Alleged MS-13 Member in Miami-Dade
What happened during the arrest of the alleged MS-13 member in Miami-Dade?
An alleged member of the MS-13 gang was arrested in Coral Gables, Miami-Dade, after attempting to violently steal a vehicle in broad daylight. The incident took place at the intersection of Red Road and Southwest 25 Street, where the suspect tried to force the driver out of the car. The victim managed to escape and alerted the police, who were able to apprehend the suspect, Wilson Verela, 24, just minutes later.
Who is Wilson Verela and what is his connection to MS-13?
Wilson Verela, 24 years old and originally from Honduras, is the individual arrested in Miami-Dade for attempted robbery. Verela admitted to being an active member of MS-13, a transnational criminal organization known for its extreme violence. He had recently been released from prison after serving a sentence for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
What items were found in the possession of Wilson Verela during his arrest?
During the arrest of Wilson Verela, authorities found a gun, a knife, and a mask, items that he allegedly used in an attempt to commit the robbery. These findings strengthen the dangerousness of the suspect and his connection to the MS-13 gang.
How is the local police collaborating with federal agencies in this case?
Given the seriousness of the case and the detainee's connections to an international gang, the Coral Gables Police are working alongside federal agencies such as the Department of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Customs and Border Protection (CBP). The collaboration aims to determine Verela's immigration status and assess potential further legal actions.
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