Man accused of stealing car runs into Opa-locka school, causing lockdown, police say

A man who stole a car and was fleeing police ran into an Opa-locka school in session, causing a lockdown Monday morning before police arrested him, police said.

The incident began when Opa-locka police responded to a call around 6 a.m. about a stolen car at a Burger King at 13705 NW 27th Ave., according to an arrest affidavit. Miramar police reported a 2026 Black Toyota Corolla stolen, and officials tracked it by GPS to the fast-food location.

An officer saw the car in a handicapped parking spot and watched from a nearby gas station while waiting for backup, the affidavit said. Another officer then saw a man who matched Miramar police’s description walking away from where the car was parked.

Police attempted to stop the man, who ran into a school at a Family Christian Association of America building at 13850 NW 26th Ave. The center has Head Start and early Head Start classes, according to its website, which are geared toward children up to 5 years old.

Authorities placed the school on lockdown for the safety of the students and faculty.

The man then went through the yard of someone’s home, where he was arrested, the affidavit said. He had the keys to the stolen vehicle on him, although he was never seen in or driving the car.

Police asked him to identify himself several times. He allegedly gave a fake name but was ultimately identified as Anthony Rudolpph Clinch.

While in custody, Clinch bragged to police about stealing other cars, the affidavit said.

Cinch is facing eight charges including grand theft of a vehicle, burglary of an occupied structure, obstruction by a disguised person and interference with or disruption of an educational institution, court records show.

He is being held on a $6,300 bond at the Miami-Dade Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center, jail records show.