Police Identify Wrong Suspect For Grow House
MIAMI (CBSMiami.com) – Miami-Dade Police raided a townhouse Monday night and discovered evidence of a marijuana grow house. But, a case of mistaken identity left a former tenant in the home at the heart of the investigation.
Police discovered at least 18 pot plants and explosives chemicals fill a room in a townhouse during the police raid. The toxic chemicals and drugs sit just one room away for what looks like the bedroom to two young boys.
The owner of the home raided by police allowed CBS 4 News to get an inside look at it Tuesday. The tenants are nowhere to be found and owner is now renovating the former grow house to rent it out to new tenants.
But, Miami-Dade Police told the media and the public Monday night they were looking for Daniel Lagomasino. Police said a witness identified Lagomasino linked him to a burglary and the grow house.
Police eventually tracked Lagomasino to the home that turned out to be the grow house. The only problem was it wasn't Lagomasino at all. He was at home watching the news and couldn't believe his eyes when he saw his photo flash on the screen.
"I was like what is going on," Lagomasino said. "I was nervous, didn't know what to really think. I'm just glad I was able to get the police involved and get it squared away.
And while Lagomasino could have been angered by the police's actions, in the end all he wanted was his name cleared.
"I am upset, but what can I do," Lagomasino said. "They're just doing their job and hopefully they clear my name correctly and you know just move forward from there."
