A loaded semi-automatic handgun, belonging to Michael Grieco, a Miami Beach mayoral candidate who has positioned himself as an advocate for public safety was discovered on a city park bench in Miami Beach.
Reports are that the firearm was handed over to the Miami Beach Police Department (MBPD) by a woman on the morning of August 13.
The glock was loaded, containing six 9mm rounds in its magazine and one ready in the chamber.
Identifying the owner
Police were able to determine the ownership of the firearm after inspecting its accompanying items.
According to reports, the bag in which it was found held several identification cards, Grieco’s wallet, and approximately $60 in cash.
Reports are that MBPD returned the gun to Grieco and has refused to publicly identify him as the owner, citing a public records exemption that applies to former prosecutors like Grieco.
Grieco’s story behind the lost firearm
Grieco shared with NBC6 that he presumed his bag had been taken, though he had not witnessed the act.
He said that he alerted park authorities about the potential theft.
“My bag was stolen and within less than an hour found safely at the police department,” he said.
“In that hour period, I reported it to the command staff assigned to the park where it was stolen and was en route to the police station to file an official report when I received a call that the bag and its contents were mostly accounted for,” he added.
Miami Beach Police noted in its report that Grieco requested the incident not be investigated.
Grieco’s reason for not wanting an investigation
According to NBC6, Grieco’s rationale behind his decision not to escalate the matter was the desire to avoid burdening both the police force and himself with the procedural intricacies of pressing charges.
He noted a discrepancy in the recovered amount of money, but believed that the thieves might have overlooked the firearm and some cash in a side compartment of the bag.
Grieco’s stance on firearm safety
This incident surfaced weeks after Grieco’s vocal criticism of Florida’s new concealed weapons law.
In a recent campaign video, Grieco, a self-proclaimed gun owner, former law enforcement officer, and permit holder, conveyed his concerns about the state’s safety.
He emphasized the potential risks posed by an increased number of firearms in public spaces, especially for children, the general population, and first responders.
