Victor Rosario, a mayoral candidate for Miami-Dade County, was arrested on charges including aggravated battery on a police officer and resisting an officer with violence after a confrontation with the police in Miami's Brickell neighborhood. NBC Miami reports that Rosario, 50, was leading officers on a chase after allegedly shouting at passersby with a megaphone and fled when approached for a traffic stop by local authorities last Saturday.
During the arrest, made after Rosario hit the gas pedal while closing his door, which struck one of the officers, police discovered a loaded 9mm pistol on Rosario's waistband. The same chase ended near Southwest First Avenue and Ninth Street, according to WSVN, who posted a video on social media showing part of the pursuit. A large crowd was reported to have formed during the initial confrontation with Rosario.
The injured officer, whom a cut was suffered on his forearm, and Rosario were checked by Miami Fire Rescue, after which Rosario was taken to Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center. Rosario's bond was denied during his court appearance yesterday, as his history of aspiring to public office roles, including a previous bid for Miami Beach mayor and intentions to run for Miami-Dade County mayor in 2028, came to light via his campaign website.
NBC Miami adds that as the officers gave commands to an unyielding Rosario to exit his vehicle, they broke the driver's side window to remove him. The altercation between one of the officers and Rosario led to the firearm's discovery; a loaded 9mm pistol with one round chambered in the barrel was later secured at the scene. Following these events, Rosario remains in custody, and the details surrounding the altercation with the police promise to loom large in his political narrative.
