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Man uses slur before pulling knife on guard outside South Beach LGBTQ nightclub, police say

Mugshot for 48-year-old Francisco Aledo Santos. (Miami-Dade County Corrections)

MIAMI BEACH, Fla. – Miami Beach police arrested a 48-year-old man who they said tried to attack a nightclub security guard with a knife. Francisco Aledo Santos is facing a hate crime charge for what they say he said before pulling the weapon.

It happened early Monday morning outside Twist, located at 1057 Washington Ave. on South Beach.

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Authorities met with the victim, who told them the suspect, later identified as Aledo Santos walked up to the popular LGBTQ club and “started calling everyone in the area” an anti-gay slur.

When the victim told the suspect to leave, the report states Aledo Santos then brandished a pocket knife while threatening the lives of everyone there.

Officers responded and found Aledo Santos, of southwest Miami-Dade, a short distance away. He had two knives on him, including one matching the description of the one from outside the nightclub.

Investigators also reviewed surveillance footage from outside the club which corroborated the victim’s account of events.

Additionally, officers said after looking over the footage, they discovered Aledo Santos had the knife out during his entire interaction, but was keeping it hidden behind his backpack.

Aledo Santos is facing a felony charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon with prejudice.


About the Author

David Dwork joined the WPLG Local 10 News team in August 2019. Born and raised in Miami-Dade County, David has covered South Florida sports since 2007.

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