CORAL GABLES, Fla. — A suspected MS-13 gang member was arrested on May 16 following an attempted carjacking in Coral Gables, Miami, police said.
Incident Details and Arrest
- Police responded to reports of a suspicious masked man in the 1500 block of Red Road early that morning.
- A resident stopped at a stop sign was approached by the man who tried to forcibly take his car. The resident escaped and called authorities.
- Officers arrested 24-year-old Wilson Verela, a Honduran national, at the scene.
- Police recovered a gun, knife, and mask from Verela.
Suspect’s Background and Charges
- Verela has an MS-13 tattoo on his left chest and admitted gang membership to investigators.
- He was recently released from prison after serving time for aggravated battery with a weapon.
- He faces charges including burglary of an occupied dwelling and possession of weapons and ammunition as a convicted felon.
- Authorities are coordinating with Homeland Security Investigations and Customs and Border Protection to confirm his immigration status.
About MS-13 Gang
MS-13, or Mara Salvatrucha, is a violent transnational criminal gang that began in Los Angeles in the 1980s, largely made up of Salvadoran immigrants. Known for murder, extortion, racketeering, and drug trafficking, the gang operates extensively across the U.S. and Central America.
Information sourced from:
- Coral Gables Police Department
- Local news reports on MS-13 activity in Florida
