Miami

Man Arrested for Miami Beach Condo Homicide: Police

Miami Beach Police have arrested a suspect for his alleged connection with the death of a man at a Miami Beach condominium.

30-year-old Jonathan A. Alonso was arrested and charged in the case Friday. He was wearing nothing but handcuffs and a white sheet as police escorted him into the Miami-Dade Jail.

At one point, police said he spit while in a highly-secured area just outside the building, and that wasn't the only time he gave officers a hard time. According to his arrest affidavit, while being detained in a police interview room, he intentionally and forcibly removed the digital camera and microphone from the wall.

For that, Alonso is facing a criminal mischief charge on top of a first-degree murder charge. Police believe he stabbed 61-year-old Louis Piper to death.

The incident occurred on the 12th floor inside a unit at 1800 Sunset Harbor Drive. Police first responded to the scene of the homicide Wednesday around 1:30 p.m. and the investigation continued through Friday.

Police went to the condo when Piper didn't show up for work. Alonso was his roommate.

Court records show Piper tried to force Alonso out of his condo last September after he refused to leave. The victim also filed domestic violence paperwork against Alonso, saying he had been the victim of repeated violence, records showed.

The case was thrown out when he didn't show up for court. Police said they've been called to the condo before.

According to a sources, the scene of the crime was bloody and gruesome. The victim was reportedly dead for several days prior to his body being discovered.

Detectives said they found several bloody knives inside the condo, and they said Piper had several stab wounds on his head and his neck. They said Alonso was found with cuts on his hands.

The following statement was sent to residents who live in the building:

"We are sorry to report that there was a death of a resident in the building yesterday. This is being investigated by the Miami Beach Police and we cannot provide any further information until their investigation is complete. The situation was isolated and the property is safe. Please contact Management with any concerns."

According to court records, Alonso has faced criminal charges in the past including grand theft and disorderly conduct.

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