Police make arrest in robbery using fireworks as distraction tactic

Suspect accused of exploiting fear of shootings to rob jewelry stores

DORAL, Fla. – Kevin Triana is accused of going into jewelry stores to ask employees to try on Rolex watches and then running off when a partner in crime set off firecrackers to scare both employees and shoppers into thinking that there was a shooting.

Triana, 22, was arrested Sunday in Greenville, South Carolina, Miami-Dade police announced Monday. 

It was a distraction tactic that was also used to steal from jewelry stores at the Sawgrass Mills mall in Sunrise, Dolphin Mall in Doral and Dadeland Mall in Miami-Dade County.

During the three instances, shoppers ran in terror. The Miami-Dade Police Department, the Sunrise Police Department and the Orange County Sheriff's Office were accusing Triana of using the same strategy to cause panic.

"Eleven people were injured at the Florida Mall when they were all running out because they thought it was an active shooter," Orange County Sheriff's Office Sgt. Joe Covelli said.

Orange County Sheriff's Office Deputy Ingrid Tejada-Monforte said Triana was accused of using the watch, valued at $16,900, as a deposit with a pawnbroker to get cash. He was caught while trying to steal another watch in South Carolina.

The incident at Dadeland Mall "caused shoppers to run from the immediate area, resulting in some minor injuries not related to the fireworks," Miami-Dade police Detective Argemis Colome said in a statement.

Police said the investigation is ongoing.


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The Emmy Award-winning journalist joined the Local 10 News team in 2013. She wrote for the Miami Herald for more than 9 years and won a Green Eyeshade Award.