MIAMI BEACH, Fla. – Two Hialeah men were arrested early Friday after going on a robbery spree in Miami Beach, authorities said.
According to Miami Beach police spokesman Ernesto Rodriguez, three robberies were reported early in the morning that were similar in nature.
According to an arrest report, Henry Rodriguez, 19, would confront the victims on the street, take their personal property at gunpoint and then get in a car driven by Jose Suero, 18.
The robberies were reported at 1:37 a.m. near Park Avenue and 19th Street, at 2:25 a.m. near Lincoln Road and Drexel Avenue, and at 2:35 a.m. near Sixth Street and Jefferson Avenue.
Police said Rodriguez used a black bandana and red jacket to cover his face when he robbed the victims, taking items such as wallets, cellphones and a Louis Vuitton purse.
Rodriguez said the men were arrested by the Police Department's robbery squad at 2:40 a.m. at 17th Street and Alton Road.
He said all of the victims' personal belongings were recovered and returned to them. A Glock 17 handgun believed to be used in the robberies was found in the car, police said.
The suspects both face charges of armed robbery. Rodriguez also faces charges based on an arrest warrant, including grand theft, burglary and petit theft.
A fourth robbery was reported at 3:10 a.m. in the area of Third Street and Meridian Avenue.
Rodriguez said two people robbed and physically assaulted the victims on the street and drove away. He said the robbery is unrelated to the previous three robberies.
William Salazar, who lives in the area, told Local 10 News reporter Erica Rakow that the two women screamed for help after the robbery.
"We were inside and we started to hear someone screaming," Salazar said. "There were two girls, one had fallen on the floor and the other one was screaming. She was saying, 'help, help,' so we came out and asked what happened, and she said, 'someone robbed me right now.'"
The victims were treated at Mount Sinai Medical Center for non-life-threatening injuries.
Rodriguez said detectives have "promising leads" in the case.
Miami Beach resident Mitch Novick said he is fed up with the crime in the area.
"It's about addressing the zoning, which again is the lure and magnet that attracts these people to come here and prey on residents, tourists and merchants. It is a crisis situation today and now," Novick said.
Anyone with information is asked to call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS.