Police say two additional suspects remain at large after the early Monday attack that left a man injured and a French bulldog briefly taken.
MIRAMAR, FL — A 21-year-old woman was arrested Monday in connection with a home invasion in a gated Miramar neighborhood where a man was pistol-whipped and his French bulldog was taken, authorities said Tuesday. The woman appeared in Broward County bond court and was ordered held without bond.
Police identified the suspect as Juliana Serna and said she faces charges that include home invasion with a deadly weapon, robbery and possession of cocaine. Detectives said at least three people were involved in the break-in and assault early Monday in the 3100 block of Southwest 128th Terrace. Officers recovered the dog shortly after the attack and returned it to the owner. Investigators are still searching for two additional suspects and are reviewing evidence collected at the scene, including shell casings found outside the home.
Officers were first alerted just after dawn when a gunfire detection system captured possible shots near the Melrose Point community around 7:30 a.m. Responding units found the victim outside with head injuries consistent with being struck by a handgun. Paramedics from Miramar Fire Rescue treated him at the scene. A police spokesperson, Janice McIntosh, said the trio “tried to invade his home,” and added that one person was detained while two others fled. McIntosh also said the group entered the complex by tearing a hole in a perimeter fence and parking outside the neighborhood, according to preliminary findings shared at the scene.
Investigators said the victim told officers he heard a commotion outside and stepped out, where he was confronted and attacked. The assailants left with his French bulldog as they ran from the area. The dog was located nearby a short time later and was uninjured. Detectives collected shell casings but have not determined who fired or how many shots were fired. Neighbors reported hearing multiple bangs before police arrived. The victim had several cuts to his head and was able to speak with detectives, who described his cooperation as helpful to the early stages of the case.
Serna was taken into custody Monday and booked into the Broward County Main Jail. In court on Tuesday, a judge ordered her held without bond on the home invasion count. Additional counts include robbery and possession of cocaine. Police said the case remains active and that descriptions of the two remaining suspects are still being refined through witness interviews, camera footage and other evidence. Detectives have not released a motive and said it remains unclear whether the residence was targeted beforehand.
The Melrose Point community sits west of Flamingo Road, with townhomes clustered along Southwest 128th Terrace and 130th Terrace. Residents described the neighborhood as typically quiet. Some said they noticed patrol cars sweeping the area after sunrise and officers examining a gap in fencing along the community’s border. Others said they saw an officer lead a small dog from a cruiser before the animal was reunited with its owners. The neighborhood uses staffed security and remote gate access, though investigators said the intruders appear to have bypassed the main entrance by breaching the fence.
The arrest followed a separate police visit to bond court, where authorities recounted the early timeline and the charges filed. The court record lists Serna as 21 years old. Police and court officials did not immediately provide an attorney name for Serna. The department said the two other people involved left the area on foot through the fence opening and may have had a vehicle parked outside the community. Detectives are canvassing for surveillance video from nearby homes and businesses that face the exterior roadway and the fence line.
Neighbors said the noises startled families preparing for the morning commute. “This is pretty scary,” said Maria Mercado, who lives down the street from the victim. Another resident, who gave only her first name, Isabel, said concerns about overnight security have been a frequent topic at association meetings. Police said they understand the fear and emphasized that patrols were stepped up after the incident while the search continued for the two remaining suspects.
As of Tuesday afternoon, police had not released additional details about the two suspects who are still being sought or about any vehicle used. Detectives plan to provide updates as they verify surveillance footage and complete forensic checks on the shell casings and other items collected. The next expected update from authorities is planned after additional interviews and evidence reviews later this week.
Author note: Last updated January 6, 2026.