Suspected Miami Beach Car Thief Dies Of Gunshot Wound

MIAMI BEACH, FL — Miami Beach police said a suspected car thief died of a gunshot wound after being taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital's Ryder Trauma Center late Tuesday morning. Earlier in the day police urged residents to remain indoors as they investigated a shooting and vehicle theft.

"The male transported to JMH has died from the gunshot wound sustained," according to Miami Beach police.

Subscribe to Miami Patch's free email news alerts and newsletters

The suspected stolen vehicle crashed into the rear of the Office Depot at 1771 West Ave. A downed power line could be seen near the vehicle, which appeared to be a Mercedes.

"There was some guy screaming: That guy took my car," one woman told Local 10 News.

Ernesto Rodriguez of the Miami Beach Police Department said that the owner of the stolen car fired at the suspect.

He was detained at the scene for a time and later released without charges, according to Rodriguez, who identified the owner of the vehicle as 48-year-old Stephen A. Lott.

Earlier, Miami Beach police could be seen with guns drawn around the suspected stolen vehicle where it apparently crashed into the Office Depot.

"You'll see a hole in the wall due to the size of the vehicle," Rodriguez told reporters at the scene.

Police surrounded the suspected stolen vehicle outside Office Depot around 10:30 a.m. The standoff ended about an hour later as first responders removed the wounded man by stretcher.

Meanwhile, several calls to the store went unanswered during the apparent standoff.

This is a developing story. Refresh your browser for the latest information.

Photo courtesy Miami Beach Police Department