November 2023

Officers of the Month

Detective Becker and Detective Rolle

The North Miami Police Department’s “Officer of the Month” for November 2023 are Detective Becker and Detective Rolle. They are assigned to the Investigative Section. They are being recognized for their outstanding performance for the following incident:

On November 14th, 2023, Detective Becker and Detective Rolle were working a proactive Holiday H.E.A.T. (Holiday Enforcement Action Team) detail. This detail was created to address a current crime trend, fueled by social media. Hyundai and Kia type of vehicles are targeted for theft by those taking the social media challenge of stealing these vehicles. A video on social media provided detailed instruction on stealing these makes of vehicles by prying open the steering column and then manipulating the vehicle’s ignition switch with the use of a USB charging cable. 

Using this technique, Hyundai and Kia type vehicles were being targeted and stolen in vast numbers, as many as 10 vehicles in a single week. This crime trend was not only plaguing the residents of North Miami but residents throughout Miami-Dade and Broward counties. Detective Becker and Detective Rolle were determined to make a positive impact. They met with detectives from other jurisdictions to share vital intelligence on possible subjects who may be contributing to this crime trend. It was learned that most of the vehicles stolen in this challenge had a broken back passenger window and the ignition switch was manipulated with the use of a USB type cord. 

Their proactive efforts soon paid off, when in the same day, Detective Becker and Detective Rolle were able to locate and recover two different stolen vehicles only hours apart. The first recovered vehicle was a Kia, which was reported stolen from a residence in North Miami. In this case Detective Becker observed a white Kia vehicle that had a broken back passenger window. When Detective Becker checked the vehicle’s tag, he realized that it was reported stolen from North Miami. When Detective Becker conducted a stop on the vehicle, the driver a juvenile, fled on foot. However, the passenger in the vehicle, also a juvenile, was detained, arrested and interviewed for the crime. A closer look inside this vehicle revealed that the ignition had been characteristically manipulated using a USB charging cord. The second recovered vehicle was a red Hyundai. Detective Rolle stopped this vehicle because he noticed that it had a broken back passenger window. This vehicle was stolen at the time but yet unreported, because it had just occurred only a few minutes prior. A closer look inside this vehicle revealed a manipulated ignition switch that had a red USB cell phone charging cord attached to it. Detective Rolle, along with other detectives, detained the driver and the two passengers who fled from the vehicle. The owner of this vehicle was contacted, and it was discovered that the vehicle had been stolen from a gym parking lot, located in North Miami Beach, minutes prior to Detective Rolle making contact with the vehicle, 

All of the subjects in these cases were interviewed and detectives learned the subjects were also involved in other stolen vehicle cases in North Miami and other jurisdictions. Detective Becker and Detective Rolle forwarded the arrest information to other surrounding agencies to assist other agencies with their open stolen vehicle cases. Detectives Becker and Rolle were able to make a positive impact on the stolen vehicle crime trend with the arrest of the juveniles. I am proud to recognize the Courage and Professionalism that Detective Becker and Detective Rolle showed during this incident. Courage and Professionalism are two of the core values of the North Miami Police Department.