15-Year-Old Pavert Cutino Charged With Attempted Murder After Dragging Miami Springs Cop

A traffic stop in Miami Springs turned into a nightmare for a veteran traffic cop yesterday. A teenage driver dragged the officer for more than a block before letting him slam into the asphalt.Pavert Cutino, the 15-year-old driver, now faces attempted murder charges. Police say the officer, Jeff Collins, was...

By Theo Karantsalis

December 9, 2011

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A traffic stop in Miami Springs turned into a nightmare for a veteran traffic cop yesterday. A teenage driver dragged the officer for more than a block before letting him slam into the asphalt.

Pavert Cutino, the 15-year-old driver, now faces attempted murder charges. Police say the officer, Jeff Collins, was lucky to escape with his life.

Collins, a veteran motorcycle cop, was working a traffic enforcement detail yesterday evening when he directed Cutino to stop near the Embassy Suites Hotel on NW South River Drive.

Cutino, who police say was driving a stolen Mazda, grabbed the officer with an "arm lock" and then hit the gas. Collins was dragged at high speed for several blocks past a scrap-metal yard before Cutino let go.

The teen bailed from the car and ran away but was arrested minutes later and transported to the Juvenile Assessment Center in Miami. He now faces charges of attempted murder.

Collins was taken to the Ryder Trauma Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital, where officials Thursday listed his condition as stable.

Police urge anyone who witnessed the crime to call Miami-Dade County Crime Stoppers at 305-471-8477.

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Freelancer Theo Karantsalis is a San Francisco native who lovingly served Miami’s Black community for many years as an offbeat librarian. He speaks softly and carries a big pen.

Contact: Theo Karantsalis