Thief targets tourists in Miami Beach for cellphones, police say

Women were walking along Collins Avenue when they were robbed

MIAMI BEACH, Fla. – Miami Beach robbery detectives arrested a man Thursday who they said snatched cellphones from at least three tourists this week.

The first robbery occurred around 9:30 a.m. Tuesday as the 46-year-old victim from the Bronx was walking along the 1000 block of Collins Avenue.

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According to Miami Beach police spokesman Ernesto Rodriguez, the man approached the victim from behind and snatched her Samsung cellphone from her hand.

The second robbery occurred around 7:10 a.m. Wednesday along 18th Street and Collins Avenue.

Rodriguez said the 35-year-old victim from Ocoee, near Orlando, was also walking when the thief snatched her iPhone from her hand.

He said the robber, who has been identified by police as Pedro Perez, 27, was arrested Thursday afternoon after allegedly robbing a third person near Seventh Street and Collins Avenue.

"For now, we know he's responsible for all three robberies. Thankfully, in each of these robberies, the victims were not hurt and we got a potentially very dangerous man off the streets," Rodriguez said.

Pedro Perez

About the Author:

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