Driver arrested after attempted kidnapping of a woman, police start a chase

MIAMI DADE COUNTY, Florida. – A man was arrested Sunday on charges of assault on a police officer and attempted kidnapping in northwest Miami-Dade, authorities said.

According to a police report, the man, identified as Yenier Cruz, 33, of Hialeah, was found by Miami-Dade police as his car was blocked on Northwest 32nd Avenue. A sergeant pulled up next to Cruz’s car and as he was putting it in reverse, he noticed Cruz hit a woman who was in the driver’s seat.

According to police, the victim opened the car door and began calling for help. Cruz then jumped into the driver’s seat and fled from the sergeant who tried to stop him.

The chase began with Cruz driving north on 32nd Avenue before turning onto several other streets, ignoring several traffic lights and stop signs, police said. Cruz eventually crossed Northwest 57th Avenue, 42nd Avenue and 37th Avenue, according to the arrest warrant.

According to police, the flight crew joined the search, and Cruz then drove east from 38th Street along Northwest 132nd Avenue. Halfway down the block, Cruz noticed a police officer behind him and sideswiped his car, causing the officer to veer off the road and strike a raised concrete median.

Cruz then lost control of the car, drove in the same direction as the officer and eventually crashed into the officer’s car a second time, authorities said.

According to the report, Cruz got out of the car in Opa-locka and dropped a clear plastic wrap containing three grams of suspected crack rock and money.

Police said Cruz attempted to evade arrest but was then tackled and taken to the ground. He then lay on his stomach and refused to put his hands behind his back, at which point officers struck him on the head and shoulder, authorities said.

Cruz then surrendered and allowed the police to handcuff him, the police report says.

According to the report, police found four more small bags on the floor of his car, each containing four grams of suspected crack cocaine.

Authorities eventually returned and found the victim, who told police Cruz hit her and touched her breast because he wanted sex. The victim also told police Cruz hit, pushed and shoved her as he tried to put her in the passenger seat to drive off, the report said.

Cruz is charged with four counts: possession of crack cocaine, fleeing from a police officer, assault on a police officer and attempted kidnapping.

As of Monday, Cruz has been held at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center on $6,500 bail. According to records, this is not the first time Cruz has been charged. He has previously been charged with third-degree grand larceny, resisting an officer without violence and criminal damage to property.