5 in custody after police chase ends at Miami MacArthur South Senior High School

Robbery suspects crash car into side of building

NARANJA, Fla. ā€“ Five people were taken into custody Monday morning after a police chase ended in a crash at Miami MacArthur South Senior High School in Naranja.

Sky 10 was above the scene shortly after 11:30 a.m. as the suspects were handcuffed and put into the back of police cruisers.

Police chased the suspects south on Florida's Turnpike before their car crashed into the side of a building at the school at 13990 SW 264th St. Authorities said the driver backed up and struck a Miami-Dade police vehicle.

"He just came down here and all of a sudden -- sharp turn. As soon as they got in (the school), someone got out," Christian Hansley, who witnessed the chase, said.

The suspects, who were driving a blue Hyundai Sonata, are believed to have been involved in two robberies.

Authorities said the suspects, who range in age from 12 to 27, first snatched a purse from a 60-year-old woman at a bus stop on Southwest 200th Street and U.S. 1before snatching a purse from a 94-year-old woman in the parking lot of the Sears department store at Southland Mall.

"There could have been other robberies other than the ones we have right now," Miami-Dade police spokesman Dan Ferran said.

Authorities said the high school was placed on lockdown during the incident. The lockdown has since been lifted.

The portion of the building that the vehicle collided into sustained minor damage.

Police said the elderly victim had minor cuts after the robbery. No other injuries were reported.

The suspects' identities were not immediately released.


About the Authors:

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

Glenna Milberg joined Local 10 News in September 1999 to report on South Florida's top stories and community issues. She also serves as co-host on Local 10's public affairs broadcast, "This Week in South Florida."