A retired Miami Beach Police officer has been arrested for road rage and an armed confrontation, according to his internal affairs file. Frank Celestre, who recently retired from the police force, is facing a pending case related to a road rage incident that occurred on Interstate 75 in Miramar in May. Celestre has been charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon for allegedly pointing a firearm at the victim during the road rage incident.
On August 23, Celestre appeared in court and was granted a $20,000 bond. The Miami Beach Police Department stated that the officer had retired/separated from the city as of August 31, 2023.
Further investigation into Celestre’s internal affairs file has revealed another incident involving guns in Broward County. In 2019, Celestre was involved in a physical altercation in the parking lot of Sawgrass Mills Mall in Sunrise. The incident occurred when Celestre drove his marked patrol unit to the mall to spy on his wife. While in the parking lot, he spotted his own car, a Mercedes-Benz, being approached by an unknown man and woman. This sighting triggered Celestre, who allegedly confronted the man with a gun.
The man who encountered Celestre stated that the retired officer attacked him, pushing him to the floor and kicking him in the head and neck. The injured man went to the hospital but chose not to press charges with the Sunrise Police Department. Miami Beach Police disciplined Celestre at the time with a suspension of 160 hours and anger management training.
Efforts to reach Celestre have been unsuccessful, and his family has conveyed that his attorney will eventually reach out. However, as of now, there has been no contact from the attorney.
In conclusion, a retired Miami Beach Police officer is facing legal troubles for road rage and an armed confrontation. The officer allegedly pointed a firearm at a victim during a road rage incident, and he also engaged in a physical altercation in a shopping center parking lot. Celestre has since retired from the police force, and investigations into these incidents are ongoing.
