Tenants are on edge after a man was seen on video trying to open doors at an apartment building in Wynwood. NBC6’s Niko Clemmons reports
Tenants are on edge after a man was seen on video trying to open doors at an apartment building in Wynwood.
Miami Police are investigating the incident at the WYND 27 building on Northwest 26th Street, and said the same person may be responsible for a unit being burglarized at the building on Monday.
A handbag and money were stolen during the burglary.
Video posted to Only in Dade showed a man lurking in the building's hallways and trying to open doors. At one point, the man looks straight into a front door camera while he's pulling the handle.
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Valentina Betancourt said she came face-to-face with the man from the video.
“I could tell something doesn't feel right,” Betancourt said. “I kind of took a moment because I was home alone confused and a little bit scared.”
She was home last week when she heard someone open her door saying they were security.
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“He made his way inside the house, I ran to the bathroom to grab pepper spray, he looked my way, saw me and ran,” Betancourt said.
Betancourt said when she saw the video, she put two and two together. She said she told someone in the office but they didn't give her the response she hoped for.
“Are we in touch with police? Who's reviewing the footage? Give me something and I felt I was given a dismissive response of we have tapes and we're doing our best,” Betancourt said.
Jesus Marcovichi said the same man also opened his door. He wasn't home, but his wife was. She said he also announced he was security.
“I'm spending all this money, I don't have security what if he did something to her, she was by herself, I was away, my brother-in-law was working, a lot of things could have happened,” Marcovichi said. “We're not even safe in our home, which is crazy.”
Tenants said the only way to get into the building is through the front door and they use an app to open the door. However, you need to live in the building to have access to the app. Police and management addressed tenants’ safety concerns Thursday during a meeting.
“They took a really long time to do something, not until we put pressure on the corporate office, not management,” Marcovichi said. “I'm already disappointed with management.”
Tenants said they want to feel safe, but right now, they don't.
"I'm not sure what can be done, but I guess from me, it's seeing a better response from building management that would give me comfort,” Betancourt said.
The building's manager released a statement on the matter.
"We are aware of the unauthorized access issue and are working closely with the Miami PD to both investigate the matter and ensure the highest level of safety for our residents," the statement read.
Police said their investigation is ongoing.
