Miami, FL

Police: Fake contractor defrauded Miami homeowner out of $50,000

Published

1 year ago

December 12, 2024

Police: Fake contractor defrauded Miami homeowner out of ,000

MIAMI – A 42-year-old man was arrested Wednesday, nearly a year after he defrauded a Miami homeowner out of $50,000 while posing as a licensed contractor, authorities said.

According to an arrest report from the Miami Police Department, the victim hired DBA Shalom Home Renovation Inc. on Jan. 15 to remodel his home in the 300 block of Northeast 48th Street.

Police said Jairo Rene Lopez Amador, of Miami, then showed up to his home for a survey and to give an estimate on the work that would be done.

According to the arrest report, Lopez Amador was initially supposed to install five impact windows, a door, plaster the front of the home and paint the exterior of the house.

Police said Lopez Amador later changed the contract to include an additional two bathrooms and the enlargement of the living room.

The total cost of the work was $50,000 and Lopez Amador assured the victim that his company would obtain all required permits from the city of Miami.

According to the report, the victim paid the total amount within a month of hiring the company.

Police said the victim eventually noticed that days and weeks would pass before he saw Lopez Amador doing any work on his property.

None of the work was completed and eventually Lopez Amador stopped going to the victim’s home and the victim was unable to get in contact with him, authorities said.

According to the report, the Department of Business & Professional Regulation opened an investigation into Lopez Amador and his company on May 30.

On Oct. 15, the victim met with a Miami police detective and completed a victim statement, claiming that Lopez Amador presented himself as a contactor and led the victim to believe that he was licensed.

Police said the victim’s wife also provided police with a photo of Lopez Amador and detectives discovered that he had previously been deported from the U.S. and had illegally reentered the country.

According to the arrest report, Lopez Amador, who is from Honduras, was arrested Wednesday at an apartment in Miami and admitted to something, although his statement was redacted from the publicly released report.

Lopez Amador was arrested on charges of organized fraud of $50,000 or more, grand theft and engaging in contracting without a license.

As of Thursday afternoon, he was being held at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center. He is not able to bond out at this time as he is being held on an immigration hold.

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Miami, FL

Miami Gardens mother gets probation after her 2-year-old shot himself

Published

2 hours ago

March 5, 2026

Press Room

Miami Gardens mother gets probation after her 2-year-old shot himself

A mother in Miami Gardens has been sentenced to five years of probation after her 2-year-old son accidentally shot himself with a gun he found in her purse.

According to police, the incident happened last summer at an apartment complex in Miami Gardens. Authorities say the toddler grabbed his mother’s firearm from her purse and accidentally pulled the trigger, shooting himself in the leg.

Video captured at the scene showed the child being rushed to the hospital on a stretcher. The boy survived and has since fully recovered.

The child’s mother, 35-year-old Christina Monique Doyle, was arrested and charged with child neglect and culpable negligence for allowing easy access to the weapon. Prosecutors said those charges carried a possible sentence of up to 20 years in prison.

During a court hearing, the presiding judge, Alberto Milian, emphasized the responsibility that comes with gun ownership.

“I am a very pro-gun person, but along with the right and the privilege of having a gun comes responsibilities,” Milian said.

Doyle ultimately accepted a plea deal where she pleaded no contest, allowing her to avoid jail time. Instead, she was sentenced to five years of probation.

Her attorney, Dustin Tischler, said Doyle has no prior criminal record and described the incident as a mistake.

“She’s 35 years old, never been in trouble whatsoever in her life,” Tischler said. “She’s a very good mother, a very caring mother to several children. This has been a nightmare, and she’s happy to get it behind her.”

Tischler also said the case should serve as a warning to gun owners about keeping firearms secure around children.

“Even though she had it in her purse and thought it was secure, the child was able to get to it when she was distracted,” he said. “If you have a firearm, it’s important to keep it locked away.”

Tischler said Doyle has completed a parenting program through the Florida Department of Children and Families and how she is allowed to have contact with her children, including her son who is now doing well after recovering from the injury.

NBC6 reached out to DCF about the case but we haven’t heard back yet.

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Miami, FL

Miami’s own Marcello Hernandez delivers special tribute to former teacher on SNL

Published

14 hours ago

March 5, 2026

Press Room

Miami’s own Marcello Hernandez delivers special tribute to former teacher on SNL

Published: March 5, 2026 at 6:17 AM

Miami’s own pays tribute to former teacher on SNL Miami’s own Marcello Hernandez brought a piece of home to SNL for his latest performance, giving a tribute to his hometown and a special teacher in that classic Miami accent.

NEW YORK CITY — Miami’s own Marcello Hernandez brought a piece of home to SNL for his latest performance, giving a tribute to his hometown and a special teacher in that classic Miami accent.

During his performance, Hernandez definitely brought the character of “Mr. Fronzi” to life.

The over-the-top teacher with a big heart was a character inspired by his real-life theology teacher at Miami-Dade’s private Belen Jesuit Preparatory School, Angie Fernandez.

And Hernandez even flew her up to New York City to see the skit live in person.

“When I saw the skit, I was flabbergasted. I laughed from here to eternity. It was so good,” Fernandez said. “I am so honored that he chose to imitate me. That’s the best compliment you can give somebody!”

Fernandez said that while Hernandez drove her crazy in her classroom, he was also always humble, honest and she calls him one of her favorite students.

Jenise Fernandez

Jenise Fernandez is a six-time Emmy award winning anchor and reporter at Local 10 News. Currently, she anchors the 3 p.m. and 10 p.m. news, Monday through Friday.

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