2 women believed to be involved in string of kidnappings, robberies throughout Miramar

Victim says she was approached by robber outside bank

MIRAMAR, Fla. – Miramar police are searching for two women believed to be behind a string of kidnappings and robberies.

One of the victims, who asked to remain anonymous, spoke to reporters Wednesday about being approached by the women more than a week ago at a Wells Fargo Bank branch.

"When I'm by myself, I just break down and cry. I can't stop thinking about it," she said about the Nov. 28 incident.

The victim, who just turned 21, was taking $400 out of an ATM to pay for a vehicle inspection.

The victim said one of the women approached her and asked her if an envelope belonged to her, and she said, "No."

"She told me, 'You're going to get in this car or I'm going to shoot you. You're not supposed to make any scene,'" the victim said.

The victim said she got into the front seat of the car, in which a second woman was also sitting, and the first woman sat behind her.

Police said the women took the victim's cash and told her to go back to the bank to take out the last remaining $60 in her account.

Police said they then dropped her off at a nearby Dollar General on Miramar Parkway.

"I didn't want them to shoot me, so I didn't look back. I stood there for a long time," the victim said.

Another incident was reported Nov. 21 at a bus stop on Douglas Road and Miramar Parkway.

Police said a woman was approached by two women in a vehicle, who asked for help with an address.

Police said the women pointed a gun at the victim, demanded that she get in the vehicle and drove her to a Wells Fargo Bank branch in a neighboring city to withdraw cash.

The woman was driven to another bank to withdraw additional money before being dropped off at a Publix at 9951 Miramar Parkway, police said.

Police said about a dozen similar cases have been reported in Miami-Dade and Broward counties, and the women and their accomplices are becoming more violent. 

"There are victims here without papers that are undocumented," Miramar police spokeswoman Tania Rues said. "They're fearful, and we're asking those victims to come forward."

Anyone with information about the women's identities is asked to call Broward Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS.


About the Authors:

In January 2017, Hatzel Vela became the first local television journalist in the country to move to Cuba and cover the island from the inside. During his time living and working in Cuba, he covered some of the most significant stories in a post-Fidel Castro Cuba. 

Amanda Batchelor is the Digital Executive Producer for Local10.com.