Investigators say separate groups tried a vehicle and a home before fleeing.
PINECREST, FL — Police in Pinecrest are investigating two burglary attempts that happened hours apart Thursday morning, including one in which suspects tried to get into a luxury SUV and then entered an unlocked home before an alarm sounded. No injuries were reported.
The incidents, recorded on home surveillance cameras in the Miami-Dade County village, have raised concerns among residents who said they did not expect to see masked suspects moving through a quiet neighborhood before sunrise. Police said the cases appear separate, and detectives are reviewing video and gathering tips as they work to identify the people involved.
The first report came from the 13000 block of Old Cutler Road at about 4:46 a.m., police said. Video from the area shows a car pulling up and several people getting out. Investigators said the group tried to access a locked Cadillac Escalade parked outside the home. When they could not get in, the suspects walked up to the residence and opened the front door, which police said was unlocked. The home’s security system activated, and the suspects ran back toward their vehicle and left, authorities said.
In the second case, police said suspects were seen around 7:18 a.m. near the 6000 block of Southwest 120th Street. A homeowner spotted people outside her home and they fled when they realized they had been seen, police said. Surveillance footage described by residents shows several people moving quickly near a gate and fence line. One homeowner told reporters she became frightened because her husband was outside preparing to leave for work and she could not tell what the suspects planned to do. In another clip, two people appear to rush toward a property from a dark-colored car before running back when they were confronted, the homeowner said.
Pinecrest police said the suspects in the two incidents did not appear to be the same people, based on what investigators have reviewed so far. Police have not released descriptions of the individuals beyond what can be seen in the videos, and they have not said whether any weapons were involved. It was also not clear whether the suspects targeted specific homes or were testing doors and vehicles at random. Detectives are asking residents to check doorbell cameras and other security systems for footage that could show faces, clothing, or vehicle details, including license plate numbers or distinct damage.
Police Chief Jason Cohen said simple security steps played a major role in stopping both attempts. In a statement shared by police, Cohen said the basic precautions used by the homeowners helped ensure that the suspects left without taking anything. Residents said the incidents were a reminder that even an affluent community can be targeted. One homeowner said it felt unsettling to watch the footage afterward because the suspects appeared comfortable moving in the dark and approaching homes at close range.
Authorities also issued a safety alert noting a third, similar incident in nearby Kendall, and Pinecrest police said they are working with the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office on that case. Police did not say whether the Kendall report is connected to either Pinecrest incident, but investigators said they are comparing information that may include suspect behavior, vehicle descriptions, and the timing of reports. Law enforcement agencies in South Florida often review patterns across neighborhoods when burglars are believed to be traveling in groups, especially when incidents happen in the early morning hours, before residents begin daily routines.
Neighbors in Pinecrest said the attempted break-ins left them on edge, and some described a shift in how people on their street are communicating. Residents said they have been sharing video clips with one another and paying closer attention to unfamiliar cars. A homeowner who saw suspects on her property said her immediate focus was getting help to the neighborhood quickly. “I immediately got my phone and called 911,” she said, adding that she hoped police could arrive while the suspects were still nearby. Another resident said it was jarring to realize someone tried a front door instead of just checking a car handle.
As of Friday, police said no arrests had been announced and detectives were still reviewing surveillance video and following up on tips. Anyone with information about either Pinecrest case was asked to contact Pinecrest police or Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS. Police said they expect to continue collecting video and witness statements through the weekend as they work to identify suspects and any vehicles involved.
Author note: Last updated February 20, 2026.