Miami Springs Police arrested a 23-year-old man around 10 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 18 for allegedly intentionally running his car into the canal alongside North Royal Poinciana Boulevard near Crane Avenue.

    When police arrived on the scene, witnesses pointed out the man they saw steering the car into the canal. A completely dry John Gonzalez of Miami finally told police he dumped his vehicle because he did something stupid the previous night.

    According to police, Gonzalez said he was afraid to go home and tell his father that he had picked up two men and they robbed him of his money and cell phone. He also intended to tell his father that he had been carjacked.

    Gonzalez told police no one was in the car but three Engine #35 Miami-Dade firefighters with tanks, but no wetsuits, entered the murky and frigid water to verify that the car was empty. They were hosed off when they got out.

    Gonzalez was charged with obstructing an investigation and police said further charges are pending, including dumping a large polluting object into a waterway.

    Westbrook Towing pulled a 1993 Pontiac Roadmaster from the water and police found a security guard badge and uniform inside.

    The incident drew media attention and a TV helicopter hovered overhead. The pilot radioed police to report that there was another submerged vehicle about 40 yards from the Buick. Police figure it’s probably a dumped stolen vehicle and Westbrook will return on Thursday to pull it out.