MIAMI – A man was arrested Wednesday on accusations that he has been posing as a security guard at two apartment buildings in Miami’s Wynwood neighborhood, trying to break into units.
Abdul Woodside, 28, faces multiple charges, including burglary of an occupied dwelling, falsely impersonating an officer during the commission of a felony, grand theft, trespassing and false fire alarm.
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People living at WYND 27 & 28 told Local 10 News last month that they have been living in fear because of a man lurking in the hallways.
Miami police have since identified that man as Woodside and said they believe he is responsible for a burglary on April 15 in which cash and a purse were stolen.
Ring doorbell video from an apartment at the building, located at 127 NW 27th St., appears to show the man pulling on door handles.
“He goes up to the door, checks if it’s open, tries getting in,” said resident Rodolfo Sanchez.
Resident Jesus Marcovivhi said Woodside walked in on his wife while she was cooking, posing as building security.
“My wife was like, ‘Who are you?’ and he was like, ‘Didn’t you call security?’” Marcovivhi said.
The run-in was enough for the couple to look for a way out of their lease.
“My wife, most of the time, is home by herself so I said, ‘We need to move out of here,’” Marcovivhi said.
According to Woodside’s arrest report, he entered another apartment on April 7 when the resident was taking a shower.
The resident told police that he heard the front door of his apartment open and close shortly after.
Police said the man got out of the shower and looked into the living room area, but didn’t see anyone. After finishing his shower, he discovered that his wallet and his $600 Citizen watch had been stolen from the table next to the front door.
According to the report, another man told police that he spotted Woodside in the hallway as he and his wife were leaving their apartment that same day.
He said Woodside was wearing a black suit and black hat with white writing on the top. He said Woodside identified himself as building security and asked the man if he had called security.
The man told police he was immediately suspicious because the building does not have an assigned security guard.
As of Thursday afternoon, Woodside remained held at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center.