Officers Indicted in 2019 UPS Hostage Deaths After Grand Jury Review
In a tragedy that unfolded over 90 minutes, the deaths of UPS driver Frank Ordonez and bystander Richard Cutshaw during a two-county chase and shootout in December 2019 have led to manslaughter charges against four current and former Miami-Dade police officers. Broward State Attorney Harold Pryor announced the indictments in June 2024 following years of investigation.
The Incident
The chaos began when two armed robbers, Ronnie Hill and Lamar Alexander, targeted Regent Jewelers in Coral Gables. Wearing a latex mask and armed with a suppressed Glock .40, Hill fired a shot that injured a store employee before escaping with a bag of stolen valuables. The store owner and manager returned fire, wounding Hill and shattering the back window of the pair’s getaway U-Haul van.
Desperate to escape, the robbers carjacked Ordonez’s UPS truck, taking the 27-year-old hostage during his last delivery of the day. A residential security camera captured the terrifying moment as Hill ordered Ordonez into the back of the truck. A witness promptly called 911, alerting authorities to the kidnapping.
High-Speed Pursuit
The chase spanned two counties, with speeds exceeding 100 mph as police pursued the stolen truck. Hill and Alexander reportedly fired at pursuing officers, who relayed the danger over radio communications. Police vehicles, joined by Broward Sheriff’s Office deputies and FBI agents, eventually cornered the UPS truck on Miramar Parkway during rush hour.
The Final Confrontation
In a tense standoff, Hill fired the first shots at police, prompting a barrage of return fire. Over the course of 25 seconds, 20 officers from four agencies fired approximately 221 rounds. The FDLE investigation revealed that five of those bullets struck Ordonez, and one killed Cutshaw, a 70-year-old motorist caught in the crossfire. Hill was shot 40 times, while Alexander died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Controversy and Legal Action
The excessive gunfire and the deaths of Ordonez and Cutshaw sparked public outrage and legal scrutiny. Prosecutors allege that the officers’ actions during the shootout were reckless, endangering civilians in the crowded intersection.
The four indicted officers—Richard Santiesteban, Rodolfo Mirabal, Jose Mateo, and one unnamed officer—face charges of manslaughter. Mirabal is charged with two counts, one for each victim. Body camera footage shows Santiesteban firing the most rounds, two of which struck Ordonez, while Mirabal fired the shot that killed Cutshaw.
Evidence and Defense
Previously unreleased footage, obtained by NBC6 Investigates, reveals the chaotic scene. The defense argues that the officers acted reasonably in a split-second life-or-death situation, responding to Hill’s initial gunfire to protect themselves and the public. However, prosecutors contend that their response was disproportionate and negligent.
Next Steps
The case raises broader questions about law enforcement protocols during high-risk situations. As the court proceedings unfold, the focus will be on whether the officers’ actions constituted criminal negligence or justified force under the circumstances.
The deaths of Ordonez and Cutshaw remain a sobering reminder of the human toll in high-stakes police interventions.
