Police in Hialeah have arrested a man accused of climbing onto a rooftop and stealing numerous pigeons, after investigators say surveillance cameras and distinctive tattoos led to his identification.
According to the arrest report, on Sept. 22, around 2:50 a.m., an unknown male, later identified as Lazaro M. Diaz, was captured on CCTV climbing onto the roof of a home in Hialeah.
While on the roof, the suspect allegedly removed multiple pigeons and placed them inside a bag.
Police noted that additional pigeons, taken from outside of the camera’s view, were kept inside a separate cage.
Investigators said the surveillance video showed the suspect clearly, including distinct tattoos that made him identifiable. Through investigative means and prior encounters, police identified the man as Diaz.
Miami-Dade Corrections
Miami-Dade Corrections
Lazaro M. Diaz
Officers confirmed the match using body-worn camera footage from previous incidents within the city.
A few days later, an officer spotted Diaz loitering near East 8th Avenue and East 26th Street, and he was taken into custody.
Diaz, 54, was charged with burglary and grand theft and transported to the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center (TGK).
His charges were later lowered to petty theft.