Police arrest suspect in crafty restaurant burglary

MIAMI (WSVN) -- An anonymous tip led police to arrest a suspect in the burglary of a South Florida restaurant, Friday.

Arnaldo Pino arrived in bond court Friday afternoon. Police have charged him with one count of unoccupied burglary for allegedly breaking into the Caribe Restaurant along Northwest Seventh Street and 39th Court on Feb. 22.

Security cameras captured extensive footage of Pino breaking through the restaurant's roof and ransacking the establishment. The alleged burglar failed to set off the alarm's motion detectors because he crouched down below them. According to officials, Pino took off with $600 in cash and around $2,000 worth of cigarettes.

An anonymous tipster called authorities and identified Pino after surveillance video showing the suspect's face aired on local newscasts. According to Miami Police Officer Kenia Reyes, once inside Pino's residence, officers found items linking him to other burglaries as well as the restaurant. "We saw a host of items inside the house which is consistent to, possibly, other burglaries that may have occurred, not just in our jurisdiction, but in others as well," she said.

Four of the officers involved in Pino's arrest returned to the scene of the crime, where the restaurant's owner, Juan Alvarado, personally thanked them and expressed his gratitude. "I'm so happy, and I want to give thanks to the police from the City of Miami," he said.

This is the second time a Caribe Restaurant has been broken into in recent months. A location on Flagler Street was also burglarized in November.

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