Driver Intentionally Rams Car Into Miami Police Station

MIAMI, FL — A driver intentionally rammed his Impala into a Miami police station on Friday morning and police investigated what appeared to be a suspicious object and a rifle found inside the vehicle. The department's bomb squad was called in while the building was evacuated. Officers were attempting to determine why the driver crashed his older model red vehicle into the building but family members told police that he had been acting "bizarre" over the past couple of days.

The driver, who was identified as 36-year-old Giftson Cherenfant, was the only person injured. He was taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital's Ryder Trauma Center in stable condition.

Charges were still pending as of early Friday afternoon.

"Based on video surveillance that we have, this breach was intentional," confirmed Miami Police Chief Jorge Colina, who praised the courageous actions of his officers. "We don't know the purpose of why he chose to breach the rear gate and the station."

Officer Kiara Delva of the Miami Police Department said that the car crashed into the rear of the Miami Police North District Sub Station around 7 a.m.

Cherenfant was conscious but had to be extricated from the car by first responders from Miami Fire Rescue.

According to officials, the crash occurred in a rear utility room. The station is located at 1000 NW 62nd St.

"Due to a suspicious package and a firearm found in the vehicle that crashed into our NDSS, Bomb Squad has arrived and is actively investigating," police said initially, but later said that no explosives were found. The suspicious object turned out to be a safe.

Colina said that Cherenfant was from the area and had no violent criminal past. Family members told police that he had "been acting a bit bizarre" over the last couple of days. Cherenfant also had a history of narcotics use, according to the chief.

"I'm incredibly proud of the way that the officers of the North District handled it," Colina said. "We had a sergeant who was in a police vehicle who immediately followed him in, pinned him against the wall there so he wouldn't be able to back up if he wanted to. The officers inside immediately approached the vehicle weapons drawn."

The crash investigation affected Friday's morning rush hour with street closures around the police station.

Police said that NW 60th-63rd Streets were closed from NW 10th Ave to 12th Avenue for a time.

"Officers overheard a loud crash," Delva said. "Once officers overheard that loud crash, they immediately responded and located a red, older model Impala crashed into the rear of the police station."

She added that Miami Fire Rescue personnel had to cut the car doors to remove the driver.

"The driver did not say anything," Delva explained. "It appears that he ran through the rear gate at the North Station."

The rifle was found in the rear of the vehicle.

Watch below as Chief Jorge Colina discusses the attack on one of his police stations:

Photo courtesy Miami Police Department