Dangerous Spring Break Incident Results in Weapons Charges

MIAMI BEACH, FL — The red Mustang cruised through one of the busiest streets in Miami Beach during Wednesday's rush hour with the top down and three young men primed for spring break.

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What happened next was over the top even by the most raucous spring break standards.

Twenty-six-year-old Jean Pierre Rondon of Cutler Bay was holding down the back seat behind 21-year-old Melvin Manuel Vargas, who was at the wheel. Another friend was sitting in the front passenger seat.

"While the vehicle came to the stop sign at 40th Street and Collins Avenue, defendant Rondon suddenly took out his Glock 19 semi-automatic pistol ... from his bag and began firing several shots in the air randomly," according to arrest documents.

"Defendant Vargas then took ... semi-automatic Springfield XD-9 pistol ... which was in the center console area and shot it in the air one time as the vehicle continued driving westbound towards Indian Creek Drive and then south from 40th Street," arrest documents stated.

"While this was occurring, MBPD dispatch began receiving several 9-1-1 calls of a red Ford Mustang with multiple males that were shooting in the area," according to the document. "A [Be On the Lookout] was issued citywide."

Miami Beach police said that the Mustang was spotted a short time later by a K-9 officer as it traveled south on Collins Avenue around 23 Street.

Multiple police vehicles converged on the Mustang in the 300 block of Lincoln Road facing west, where the three occupants were taken into custody.

Vargas and Rondon, both of the 19600 block of Bellview Drive were later charged with discharging a weapon from a vehicle and related offenses. The passenger was listed as a witness and was not charged.

Police said that an officer "could clearly observe in plain view a black semi-automatic firearm on the front passenger floorboard. Two spent casings were observed in the left rear passenger seat."

Ernesto Rodriguez of the Miami Beach Police Department told Patch that police received the initial call at 6:30 p.m. There were no reports of injuries as a result of the incident.