Miami Beach politicians blame justice system for escape of man accused of multiple crimes, including pointing a gun at police chief – WSVN 7News | Miami News, Weather, Sports

MIAMI BEACH, FLA. (WSVN) – Miami Beach officials have blamed a weak link in the justice system for allowing a repeat offender to walk free.

Wednesday's press conference came amid developments that 35-year-old Christopher Pitre, a man accused of a series of crimes including pointing a gun at Miami Beach Commissioner Joe Magazine, is now on the run after removing his ankle monitor while under house arrest.

“This guy is armed and dangerous,” said Miami Beach police spokesman Christopher Bess.

Officials said they thought their job was done when they arrested Pitre in April, but now, given the latest turn of events, they must track him down again.

“He's not in jail. Now we have to get the police involved and try to find this person and pray to God that no one else gets hurt,” said Miami Beach Mayor Steven Meiner.

Officials said they were very concerned and frustrated about the situation.

“What you're seeing here is a criminal machine,” Miami Beach Police Chief Wayne Jones said. “An individual who, when he's walking free on the streets, is harassing people. My entire team, my investigative team, is dedicated to finding him and re-arresting him.”

Officials said they learned Tuesday that Pitre had disappeared after deactivating his ankle bracelet.

The magazine spoke to 7News on Tuesday and demanded answers from law enforcement about Pitre's whereabouts.

“He could flee back to Texas, he could flee back to Alabama. He could come back here to Miami Beach, where he apparently felt at home. I have no idea if that person is here in our community,” the magazine said.

The commissioner said he personally confronted Pitre in early April when the magazine caught the suspect sleeping in his vehicle in the parking garage of his building.

Surveillance video shows Magazine following Pitre out of the garage as he contacted police.

Moments later, the commissioner said, the situation had worsened even further.

“And he turns around, the gun is already drawn,” he said.

A few days after the April incident, Miami Beach police found Pitre and arrested him.

“I have your man here,” an officer said on the body camera footage.

Officials linked him to a number of other crimes, thefts and other offenses throughout Miami Beach.

“He terrorized this community for weeks,” the magazine said.

The Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office said there are 10 criminal cases pending against Pitre, adding that prosecutors oppose his dismissal from public service.

“Our prosecutor vehemently opposed his release into our community. Despite our objections, the court granted the motion for release,” said a spokesman for the Miami-Dade District Attorney's Office.

The judge who made this decision, Ariel Rodriguez, is prohibited by judicial professional rules from commenting on pending proceedings.

Miami Beach officials said Wednesday that Pitre should have remained behind bars.

“I mean, he had a long history, had a loaded gun that he was pointing, and we just talked about it a few months ago, and now he's out there somewhere and we don't know,” Meiner said, “and now the police are looking for him and again we're praying that no one gets hurt. I'm sure the judge is praying too.”

But Pitre is by far not the only prisoner who was released and immediately committed his crimes again.

Miami Beach residents like Jo Manning appeared at Wednesday's meeting to tell her story of how she was attacked before her attacker was arrested and subsequently released from jail.

“They could have knocked me down. He was apparently harassing a woman,” Manning said. “He kept getting let out.”

Other residents who had repeatedly witnessed crimes, such as Mitch Novick, were also present.

“I have seen countless crimes, from sexual assaults to shootings,” Novick said.

Novick said he hoped authorities would now focus on the problems in his area.

Participants in the meeting also repeated Meiner’s criticism of the judge who released Pitre.

“Let's leave forgiveness to Jesus, OK? Let's put these people where they belong,” Manning said.

Miami Beach police said they are working with Miami-Dade police and the Department of Corrections to track down Pitre.

7News sources said the same court and judge who ordered Pitre's release have now signed an arrest warrant against him.

Police advise residents who see Pitre not to approach him and instead call 911 or Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers.

If you have any information on Pitre's whereabouts, call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward of up to $5,000.

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