True Story

Miami P.I. A story of guns, drugs, and prostitutes.

Just another day in the Magic City

By David Bowling

The following is an actual case done by a private investigator. I know it’s true because it’s my story. (I cannot reveal the names of the subject or the company I worked for at the time.)

On June 9, 2000 an armed security officer took an $8,000 check to the bank, it was to be cashed and the money was to be delivered to a cargo ship in the Port of Miami. It never made it. Here’s what happened.

3:00 PM - (Friday June 9) Subject reported for duty and picked up a check for $8000 and left to go to the bank. Once he had the cash he was to report back to the office and 2 persons would make the delivery to a cargo ship. (Bank was next door)

3:30 PM – Subjects employer called the bank to see what was taking so long. Bank manager reported that the subject had cashed the check over 20 minutes ago and left the bank. The bank manager also reported that the subject had requested the money all in one hundred dollar bills.

3:40 PM – A Miami Dade Police arrived at the office of the employer. A uniformed officer wrote a report and advised that a detective would be assigned to the case on Monday.

3:42 PM – I was contacted to find subject. I loaded up the usual; 9mm, 38 revolver, and mace. I filled up the SUV with gas and headed for the scene of the crime.

4:00 PM – I arrived at office of subject to get a copy of his personnel file and interview coworkers. One coworker advised me that subject had made references to a new girlfriend in Key Largo. Another coworker told me that the subject frequently talks about going to the Keys. I also learned that the subject was a body builder who had served in the Marine Corps. Approximately 6’2”, 240 lbs.

4:15 PM – I interviewed the bank manager to confirm that subject had cashed the check. Then I spoke with security in the parking lot of the bank, they advised me that subject had left the area and gave me a description of the vehicle.

5:00 PM – I left the office. I knew I was probably going to the Keys, but I wanted to check his place of residence first. He might go there first to change clothes and pack a bag. His employer told me that he lived with his grandmother, his parents address was listed as well. I ran his vehicle and it was listed to his grandmother. I stopped at his grandmother and parents addresses and no vehicles were present and no one answered the door.

5:45 PM – I headed south to Key Largo. While on the way I called his sister who is listed as the emergency contact in his employee file. I explained the situation to her and she promised to call if she had any information.

6:00 PM – Subjects mother called me. She told me she hadn’t heard from him but would call me if she did. Also, she said his best friend lives in Key West. At least all the clues are in the same direction.

(Something I’d like to note to readers here. The subject’s employer was surprised that he did this, his family was not the least bit surprised nor did they ever question that he did it. Family knows best and I have a feeling this is no angel I’m looking for.)

8:00 PM – Arrived in Key Largo. I spotted an FHP so I pulled over and asked him if he could put out a “BOLO” (be on the lookout) for the vehicle. He told me he would but it would only go out to other troopers, I’d need to contact the local police as well. Once I gave him the info he told me he knew the subject, he given him a couple of tickets recently.

9:00 PM – Arrived at Key Largo police station. They told me they were too busy and couldn’t help.

9:30 PM – Arrived at the Monroe County Sheriffs office in Marathon Key. Officer on duty put out a BOLO for subject to all Monroe County Deputies. She also confirmed that the subject received two traffic tickets approximately two weeks ago at mile marker 87. She told me I’d have to check in with the Key West police dept. as well.

I left the police station and pulled in to a 7 11 for coffee. As I was getting my coffee a deputy came in to get coffee as well. While in the store I heard the BOLO for my subject go out on his radio. I introduced myself and told him why I was looking for the subject. We met outside and two more deputies arrived. I showed them pictures of the subject and thanked them for their interest. They told me they love it when people run to the Keys, there’s one way in and one way out, no chance for escape!

1:45 AM – Arrived at Key West Police Dept. Dispatcher on duty put out BOLO on my subject.

2:00 AM – I spent a couple of hours checking the bars on Duval Street for subject. (Yes, I was working; I was only drinking so I’d blend in, really. Didn’t want to blow my cover.)

3:00 AM – I found a motel and checked in to get some sleep.

Saturday:

7:00 AM – Breakfast and resume search. I went to the most popular spots, pier beach, etc. I figured if he was with a new girlfriend that’s were they’d be.

10:30 AM – Received call from subjects sister. She told me that subject’s friend no longer lived in Key West but had moved to Naples. She also told me this same friend was headed to Miami to look for the subject himself.

11:00 AM – Departed Key West for Miami.

2:00 PM – Received call from subjects wife. (Wife huh? Didn’t know my subject as well as I thought.) She told me his mother had been calling her repeatedly but she didn’t know anything. She told me her husband had a drug problem and I should check with his dealer. She gave me an address in downtown Miami.

2:10 PM – Paged the Miami Dade Police officer assigned to the case to ask him if he’d give me some backup to go to this address. He responded and told me it was his day off, go to the Port PD station and ask one of those guys.

4:45 PM – Drove by the dealers address subjects wife had given me to see if subjects vehicle was there. It was not.

5:00 PM – Arrived at Port of Miami police substation to ask for backup to question dealer. After much begging and pleading an officer finally agreed to go with me, he told me I had five minutes once we got to the apt.

5:30 PM – Arrived at the dealer’s apt. and knocked on the door, no answer. I showed the subjects picture to persons hanging out around the building and they all told me they hadn’t seen him.

I asked the Miami Dade officer if he could put out a BOLO on the subject in the Miami area, he said he could not.

I headed home to study the file again and plan my next move.

8:30 PM – Subjects mother called me and said his friend had found him at a motel in Little Havana. The friend could not get him to leave but had given him his keys and the friend had taken subjects vehicle to her house. She gave me the name and address of the motel. She also told me that his friend thought he was high on cocaine.

9:00 PM - Arrived at Burkes Motel on SW 8^th St. in Little Havana. I spoke with the manager on duty. She told me no one by that name had been there, I showed her his picture and she said she hadn’t seen him. I asked if anyone else had been there looking for him and she said no. I left my number and asked her to call me if he turned up.

9:30 PM – I called subjects mother and told her that the information she gave me was wrong. She said she was only repeating what she had been told by his friend. I asked to speak with the friend, she told me he’d left and she didn’t have his phone number.

I began searching 8^th Street for subject.

11:15 PM – Manger of Burkes Motel called and told me subject was in the parking lot.

I contacted Miami Dade Police, they told me I had to be in possession of subject before they would respond.

11:25 PM – Arrived at Burkes Motel, subject was gone. Resumed search of Little Havana area.

1:00 AM – I drove by subject’s mother’s and grandmother’s houses to see if his vehicle was there as she had stated. It was not.

Sunday:

11:00 AM – I called subjects wife and ask for her address and told her we needed to talk. She refused to give me her address. She told me that subject’s vehicle was at his mothers house.

12:00 PM – Continued search of Little Havana area. I repeatedly called subjects mother, no answer.

8:00 PM – Drove by subject’s mother’s house. Vehicle not present.

9:00 PM – Drove by subject’s mother’s house. Vehicle was present! I spoke with his mother and obtained permission to search the vehicle. It contained his security uniform, cell phone, and pager. His pager showed several calls from his wife, cell phone was dead. Not present were his weapon or any money.

9:40 PM – I went back to the Burkes Motel to check for new info. The manager told me that she found out from another employee that the subject spent the night in the motel next door, both are under the same management and the other girl saw him while working next door. She also told me that the subject’s wife had been there looking for him. She showed me a note that his wife had left with her pager number on it.

I continued searching the area.

10:00 PM – I arrived at The Trade Winds Hotel on SW 8^th Street. I showed the subject’s picture to the manager and he said yes, the subject was there and gave me the room number.

I then contacted Miami Dade Police. They told me that I was not in their jurisdiction, call City of Miami Police. I called them, and then waited by the door of subject’s room to make sure he didn’t leave.

10:40 PM – A Sgt. from the City of Miami Police Dept. arrived. He told me he couldn’t help me because it was a county case. We tried to contact the Miami Dade officer handling the case but no response. He then called the Miami Dade Sgt. on duty. After debating for a while they decided an officer from Miami Dade would assist with the arrest and transport the subject. The Sgt. asked me for a description of the subject. Once I told him we’re dealing with a really big Marine he called for backup.

11:00 PM – 5 more Police Officers from the City of Miami arrived.

11:15 PM – City of Miami Police knocked on the door of subject’s room. As soon he turned the latch to open the door all 6 officers were in the room on top of him. Subject was handcuffed and put in the back of a police car. He admitted that he’d stolen the money. He said he'd left the port with $8,000 and went to a drug dealer to buy crack. He then contacted an escort service to send him girls. He had been in the area the entire time but had switched motels several times to avoid being caught. When he arrived at The Trade Winds he was out of drugs and had just enough money left to get a room. He was done partying and had gone to sleep. I had found him after the money was gone.

11:30 PM – An Officer from Miami Dade Police arrived and took him to jail.

I was disappointed that I didn’t recover any money. I would have been proud that I'd found him before the police did, except they weren't looking. The police would have found him, they had his address. He would have returned home eventually.

I went to his arraignment; he pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor and received 6 months probation. He paid the money back to the company he had worked for.