June 9, 2026: Miami‑Dade Couple Arrested for Hijacking a Honda While Baby Sleeps in Back Seat

On Friday, a Miami‑Dade couple was taken into custody after officials determined they stole a Honda CRV in Hollywood, Florida, while their infant slept in the back seat. The arrest followed investigative work by Broward and Miami‑Dade law‑enforcement units that traced the vehicle’s journey across county lines and uncovered sophisticated tools used in the theft.

The Theft Operation

Detectives watched the couple’s Honda Civic drive to a parking lot at 2200 S. Ocean Drive in Hollywood. The Civic was used as an operational vehicle while the couple forced entry into a parked Honda CRV, started the engine, and fled. During the drive, the offender’s GPS unit was removed, a common step in organized thefts to prevent remote tracking.

The stolen CRV and the Civic were then taken to a “cool‑down” location at an apartment complex on Northwest 17th Avenue in Miami Gardens, where the vehicle was held temporarily before being moved again. Inside the Civic, investigators recovered reprogrammed key fobs, a tablet used for vehicle system reprogramming, multiple screwdrivers, and lock‑punching tools—evidence of key cloning or relay‑attack methods that are increasingly used on Hondas and other modern cars.

Achild in the Back Seat

The child, sleeping in the back seat throughout the entire operation, was discovered by officers when the pair were stopped. The presence of the child gave rise to a child‑neglect charge, highlighting the dangerous nature of carrying a minor in a vehicle that is being stolen and driven by a suspect.

Legal Consequences

Jeyson Javier, 32, and Daniela Alfonso Dominguez, 25, faced charges of grand theft auto, possession of burglary tools, and child neglect without great bodily harm. Javier also had multiple outstanding warrants, including prior grand theft auto offenses and driving with a suspended license. Both individuals were booked into jail following their arrest.

Broader Context and Public Safety

Florida’s dense vehicle population and active used‑car market make models like the Honda CRV popular targets. Automated theft techniques such as relay attacks and key cloning outpace many built‑in security measures. The case underscores the importance of securing vehicles, especially when a minor is present, and serves as a cautionary example for parents who facilitate or participate in criminal activity. Law‑enforcement agencies emphasize the need for vigilance and prompt reporting of any suspicious activity involving children in unattended or stolen cars.

While the child was unharmed, the incident draws attention to the intersection of property crime and child endangerment, and the complex legal responsibilities that arise when minors are involved in serious offenses.