MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – Miami Gardens Police Chief Antonio Brooklen tackled a man Tuesday at a BrandsMart USA store after the man attempted to use a fraudulent credit card to buy an Apple computer worth nearly $2,500, authorities said.
Police said Alvaro Miranda-Acosta, 26, was trying to buy a $2,449 Mac using a Citibank credit card under the name Alvaro Miller-Miranda at the BrandsMart USA at 4320 NW 167th St.
Police said a cashier asked Miranda-Acosta for identification and quickly noticed that the names did not match.
The woman called for her manager and asked Miranda-Acosta if he could provide another ID with the name on the credit card.
According to an arrest report, Miranda-Acosta told her that he didn't have another ID, but that the middle name on the card, Miller, is his mother's middle name. He said he could go to an ATM and withdraw money to pay for the computer, the report said.
Brooklen, who was off duty at the time, was alerted to the situation and helped escort the suspect to the manager's office.
"He started getting real nervous, so I asked him if he could have a seat on the floor, not in the chair, and when I went to help him sit to the floor, he hit me in the neck, pushed me out of the way and tried to run for the door," Brooklen said. "I ran after him and when I got close enough, it was do or die and I just said, 'You know what, just jump, tackle him.'"
According to authorities, Miranda-Acosta elbowed Brooklen in the neck while he was inside the office.
Police said Brooklen and a store employee grabbed the suspect to prevent him from escaping and during the struggle Miranda-Acosta kicked a store employee in the face and leg.
"The only thing that was on his mind was trying to get away, and I wasn't going to let that happen," Brooklen said.
Multiple witnesses inside the store also helped to detain the suspect until more officers arrived, the report said.
Miranda-Acosta was arrested on charges of grand theft, possession and use of fraudulent identification, battery on a law enforcement officer, resisting arrest with violence and battery.
Brooklen said more fraudulent credit cards were found in the suspect's wallet when he was taken into custody.