Miami

Mall Shoplifter Caught After Running Into Sewer Pipe: Aventura Police

An Aventura Mall shoplifter who tried to flee from authorities by running into some sewer drain pipes is facing charges, police said.

Sandioman Rodriguez-Perez was arrested Tuesday night on charges including strongarm robbery, retail theft and resisting an officer without violence, Aventura Police said. It's unknown if he's hired an attorney.

According to an arrest report, Rodriguez-Perez was spotted by a loss prevention officer stuffing a $700 shirt down his pants. The officer confronted Rodriguez-Perez and they got into a struggle, but Rodriguez-Perez was able to break free and flee the store, the report said.

Rodriguez-Perez dropped the shirt and ran into a drainage pipe near a Chase bank as officers and security pursued him, the report said. Due to safety concerns for Rodriguez-Perez "after the long duration and the unknown fumes and conditions within these pipes," Miami-Dade Fire Rescue response teams were called to the scene, the report said.

Rodriguez-Perez later came out of the drainage pipe and was taken to Aventura Hospital for treatment. He was later taken to jail.

"A couple hours later we were able to find him. He was very winded and hypothermic. Very cold from being in the water for that long," Aventura Police Sgt. Chris Goranitis said. "Luckily we were able to get him treatment over the hospital and he was placed under arrest."

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