MIAMI SPRINGS, Fla. – Police say a 42-year-old man who allegedly assaulted two people and stole a purse from their car has been charged.
The incident happened on Sept. 15 at 5:15 a.m. at South Royal Poinciana Boulevard and East Drive in Miami Springs.
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Police said 78-year-old Rosario Cardini and 91-year-old Josef Cardini had just left the Miami Jai-Alai Casino and were on their way home.
When the two stopped at a traffic light, Miami Springs police said 42-year-old Douglas Robert Little walked up behind their vehicle, opened the rear passenger side door and climbed inside.
Once inside the vehicle, Little told Rosario she had a flat tire and then grabbed her purse, which police said was on top of the center console.
Authorities said Little slapped and punched the arms of the victims as they tried to hold onto the purse. Little then ran back to his vehicle and drove away.
Miami Springs police detectives said they were able to obtain red light camera video footage from the intersection of Northwest 42nd Avenue and Northwest 36th Street, and the intersection of Northwest 36th Street and Sheridan Drive.
The video footage showed the victim's car being followed by a white van, which police said had some distinct markings that were identified in the video.
Several days later, police said the vehicle was found. Little was then located, arrested and charged with burglary to an occupied vehicle with battery. Little was also charged with grand theft and possession of cocaine, authorities said.
Some of the items that were taken from Rosario were later found by Miami Springs police detectives.