Police impersonators rob couple in Southwest Miami-Dade

Husband, wife handcuffed while crooks open safe, police say

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. – Police are investigating a home invasion and robbery which occurred Tuesday morning.

According to Miami-Dade police Detective Argemis Colome, the robbery was reported at 3:15 a.m. at a home along Southwest 159th Street and Southwest 98th Avenue.

"I am absolutely scared," a neighbor, Brenda Louard, said. "I cannot believe (it), not in this neighborhood. We don't have any such thing in this neighborhood."

According to officers, two armed men who were wearing vests and were dressed as police officers broke through the front door and put handcuffs on a 37-year-old husband and his 32-year-old wife.

"Both males were wearing police insignia," Colome said. "They were wearing a long-sleeved shirt that said police on the side, and also the other gentleman had a vest on with a badge, and they were both armed with handguns."

Police said the thieves forced the victims to open a safe and left with an undisclosed amount of money. 

According to police, the couple's three children were inside the home at the time but were asleep.

No injuries were reported.  

As the investigation continues, police are taking this case personally, saying defrauding the police department by impersonating officers can damage their relationships with the people they serve.

One neighbor, Angela Ducally, said she's now going to have to think twice to open her door if an officer shows up at her house.

"It's really scary now. Now you don't know who is a police officer and who is not a police officer," she said.

Police are still searching for the robbers, who they said should be considered armed and dangerous.

Anyone with information is asked to call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS.