Two police patrol cars were apparently set on fire in northeast Miami-Dade early Friday morning, prompting an investigation, authorities say.
Chopper 6 spotted a Miami-Dade patrol car being doused by firefighters around 6 a.m. in the area of Northeast 200th Street and Northeast Sixth Court. A Hallandale Beach police car was also on fire about a block away on Northeast Seventh Court.
The Hallandale Beach Police officer said he woke up to loud banging. He looked outside to see flames coming from his patrol car. Investigators believe the vehicles may have been targeted.
"We've had two incidents down south where two police vehicles — thank God nobody was in the vehicles — they were stationary, and they were shot at, and we're investigating those cases as well," said Lt. John Jenkins of Miami-Dade police.
In January, a Miami-Dade police car was found shot at multiple times while it was parked in front of an officer's home.
Then in February, another Miami-Dade police car was found shot at multiple times in the Cutler Bay area.
Police estimate that the damage to the Hallandale Police car is a loss of about $23,000. The damage to the Miami-Dade car was more severe, and is closer to $29,000.
Anyone with information is asked to call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS (8477).
Watch NBC 6 and refresh NBC6.com for updates.
