CORAL GABLES, Fla. – Two of the three men accused in at least two home burglaries who were caught after a serious crash in Coral Gables went before a judge Saturday, while one of the innocent victims seriously hurt in that wreck remains hospitalized.
The man who was hurt in Friday's crash underwent surgery and was recovering Saturday at Jackson Memorial Hospital. One of the three men who are behind several home break-ins is also recovering at the hospital, police said.
Kristopher Wooten, 19, went before a judge Saturday thinking someone might come up with the money to post his bail.
"Mr. Wooten, you've been charged with burglary of an unoccupied dwelling, grand theft and criminal mischief," the judge said. "I am asking you about your money, sir. Do you have any savings? Or anything you own that you could use to post a bond?"
"Not really," Wooten said.
For the next couple of minutes the 19-year-old stood quietly as a judge set his bond at $37,000 for his alleged role in at least two break-ins in Coral Gables.
Police said surveillance video captured Wooten and two other men breaking into a house last week. The men were seen opening the front door, only to be chased out by two dogs. The trio returned seconds later armed with a yard sign to keep the dogs away.
"I find probable cause for all three offenses alleged and I'm setting bond at $12,500, $5,000 and $5,000," the judge said.
Kareem Brown, 22, also made his first appearance in court. Investigators said he jumped into a canal after the car he was in crashed into two other drivers on Bird Road and Granada Boulevard.
A third man, 24-year-old Devondrea Wilcher, was also arrested.
Police said the group had just finished breaking into a house on Loretto Avenue when an officer spotted them and they crashed.
Wilcher suffered a broken leg and dog bites. Police are looking into whether the trio is behind other break-ins in Coral Gables in the past couple of months.