South Florida police officer under investigation

SOUTHWEST MIAMI-DADE, Fla. (WSVN) -- A Miami-Dade Police Officer is under investigation for grand theft charges and another controversial incident that left a man hospitalized for several weeks.

Jose Rodriguez was shot multiple times by, who he said was, Miami-Dade Police Officer Jesus Hernandez on Feb. 14. As a result, Rodriguez lost a large portion of his intestine.

Rodriguez ran a business, and on Valentine's Day, an alarm company contacted him to let him know his business was being robbed. Rodriguez, who has a permit to carry a gun, was armed as he arrived at his business. At the time, he said he didn't see a police officer, and then, he said, Hernandez fired at him from behind. "I got off my vehicle to try to hold the guy until the police get there, and the next thing I know, I'm getting shot. I land on the floor, I end up seeing I got shot by a police officer."

A news conference was held Friday by Miami-Dade Police Director Robert Parker about officer Hernandez, while Rodriguez continued his recovery. According to Parker, internal affairs officers have been investigating Hernandez, 24, for the past three years.

Investigators arrested and charged him with shaking down criminal suspects after he pulled an undercover officer over during a sting operation targeting Hernandez. After Hernandez stole cash and drugs from the officer, police arrested him. "The fact that he continued to do this and obviously did not choose to stop after a number of investigations, and after he was interviewed a number of times, it speaks to his boldness," said Parker.

Police said Hernandez has been relieved of duty, and they also said he's not authorized by Miami-Dade to carry out the duties of a law enforcement officer, pending the outcome of the investigation into the theft charges.

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