Brickell, Coconut Grove burglary suspect arrested

Clear surveillance video helped Miami police nab a man who detectives say was responsible for at least 12 car burglaries in Brickell and stealing more than $100,000 in electronics and jewelry from a Coconut Grove home.

“Certainly having such clear video in both cases was instrumental in catching the Christmas Grinch,” said Miami Police Spokesman Rene Pimentel.

Police put out a video Wednesday showing a clear picture of a man with long, wavy hair, a blue shirt and cross around his neck. That video was taken inside the Coconut Grove home. According to police, the couple who owned the house were sleeping upstairs at the time. The tips rolled in, including one to the Miami Herald.

Pimentel said a Miami Lieutenant spotted Michael Fernandez, 27, walking Saturday near Southwest 27th Avenue and 25th Terrace. He got away briefly, but with the help of a K-9 officer, Fernandez was caught.

Pimentel said Fernandez was bitten by the police dog, but it was not clear how bad his injuries were.

He was wanted for the car burglaries and the occupied burglary.

On Dec. 19, the suspect was caught on video breaking into 12 different vehicles, stealing items and causing extensive damage to the vehicles parked at the Metropolitan Building, 2475 Brickell Ave.

This story was originally published December 26, 2015 at 8:19 PM with the headline "Brickell, Coconut Grove burglary suspect arrested."