Hialeah carjacking suspects make first court appearance

3 arrested after targeting 3 women at gas station, police say

HIALEAH, Fla. – Two suspects appeared before a judge Wednesday after allegedly targeting two women in separate attempted carjackings.

Rebecca Utria, 21, Nicholas Rosado, 19, and Juan Carlos Gonzalez, 17, were arrested Monday in Hialeah.

Police said the trio tried to carjack two women at gunpoint.

Surveillance video shows who police believe is Gonzalez and Rosado at a Tom Thumb gas station. Police said the suspects tried to carjack a woman just out of camera view, but the woman locked herself inside the car.

Police said the two then approached a woman in a red convertible that had her two children inside.

Police said the gunman jumped in the driver's seat, but the victim grabbed him and yanked him out of her car.

"She's able to drag him out of the car while the other one on the other side runs away like a coward," Sgt. Carl Zogby said. "They both end up running away."

According to police, the suspects jumped back into the getaway car driven by Utria.

Police caught up with the group less than five minutes after Utria crashed her car and all three were arrested.

Rosado is being held in jail in lieu of $10,000 bail and Utria faces a higher bond since she was allegedly fleeing from police while driving the getaway car. Gonzalez remains in juvenile detention.

Police said Gonzalez and Rosado confessed to their roles in the attempted carjackings.
 


About the Authors:

Liane Morejon is an Emmy-winning reporter who joined the Local 10 News family in January 2010. Born and raised in Coral Gables, Liane has a unique perspective on covering news in her own backyard.

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