Three men have been arrested in connection with an attempted break-in at the South Florida residence of Real Housewives of Miami star Larsa Pippen. The incident occurred on Sunday, with Pippen, 51, not present at the time but monitoring events remotely through surveillance cameras after a burglar alarm alerted authorities.
Police Response and Apprehension
Pinecrest Police Chief Jason Cohen revealed that Pippen provided real-time information to officers as they responded to the alarm. "She was giving us real time information as the officers were responding," Cohen told WSVN. "When the officers approached the house, the getaway car was fleeing and went right past them."
The suspects were identified as Treison Lache Booker, 23; Cortez Day Mon Johnson, 23; and Elijah Eugene Russell, 18. Each faces multiple charges related to attempted burglary of an unoccupied dwelling. Police stated that the men fled from responding officers who arrived within minutes but were swiftly contained and apprehended with assistance from the Sheriff’s Office and Coral Gables Police.
Details of the Failed Burglary
According to investigators, the trio smashed multiple windows in a vain attempt to enter the home before giving up and fleeing in a vehicle. Surveillance footage showed one suspect trying to enter through a door while another stood nearby. During their getaway attempt, the men crashed their vehicle and attempted to escape on foot.
An MDSO K9 located one suspect during the search, while Pinecrest and Gables officers took another into custody. The third suspect was apprehended by a Pinecrest supervisor as he attempted to run from the perimeter. All three were subsequently taken into custody by responding officers.
Suspect Background and Investigation
The three men remained in custody at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center as of late Monday. Russell was found to have an active warrant in Georgia, as noted by the presiding judge in court earlier that day.
Chief Cohen told Local 10 that investigators are "working to confirm" whether the men crossed state lines specifically to target the Bravo star. "They came from Georgia, it looks like they went straight to this house - so that’s the theory our detectives are going on," said Cohen.
Security Measures Prevented Crime
Cohen emphasized that Pippen's security measures were crucial in preventing the burglary. "Her house was locked," Cohen explained. "Her alarm was on. Her alarm was what ended up scaring these guys off the property."
The police chief personally participated in Russell's apprehension, describing a dramatic chase that ended with Russell jumping into a canal. "I spot [Russell] walking," Cohen recounted. "He’s trying to walk away, out of the area - it’s just me and him. I get out of my car, I order him to the ground. I start running after him."
Cohen noted that Russell's decision to jump into the canal proved to be a critical mistake. "He jumps into the canal," Cohen said. "When I get to the canal bank, he’s hanging on. If he didn’t jump into the canal, he probably had me."
About Larsa Pippen
Larsa Pippen is the mother of four children with her ex-husband, Chicago Bulls legend Scottie Pippen: sons Scotty Jr., 25, Preston, 23, and Justin, 20, and daughter Sophia, 17. The reality television star has gained prominence through her role on Real Housewives of Miami.
Daily Mail has reached out to the Pinecrest Police Department for further comment on the ongoing investigation. The case highlights the effectiveness of modern security systems in deterring criminal activity, even when homeowners are absent from their properties.
