MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. — A senior’s Sunday morning trip to withdraw some cash in southwest Miami-Dade would end in him being knocked to the ground and robbed; he’s now doing fine, but cops are looking for the mugger.
“I didn’t see him coming this way at all, because I was too busy putting the money in and the car and getting it out,” victim Patrick Ferrante said. “That’s when I got hit.”
Ferrante, 81, was at an ATM in a shopping plaza on Southwest 288th Street at around 9 a.m. when the armed robber ambushed him.
Surveillance video shows the crook coming around the corner of a business. At that moment, Ferrante said the man, seen covered with black pants, a face mask and a hoodie — along with a distinctive pair of black and white shoes with the word “air” written on them — approaches him.
“I had the money and my wallet in my hand like this next thing — bang!” Ferrante said. “And I went down quick.”
Ferrante added, “To put a mask on and everything, nah, he is not a good guy.”
The Vietnam veteran said he’s seen his fair share of trouble and still has plenty of fight in him. But, in this instance, he was caught off guard.
“I’m as strong as ever,” Ferrante said. “He flew. He was gone before I could even turn and look.”
The suspect took $1,000, which the octogenarian had withdrawn to buy a new car.
“They took the card, my license, my Social Security (card),” Ferrante said. “I can’t even vote. He even got my voter’s registration card.”
As the low-life remains on the streets preying on the elderly, Ferrante, who went to the Veterans Affairs hospital for treatment for his injuries, said he’s learned from the attack.
“I am always going to be alert,” he said.
Ferrante said several people have come forward to help him buy a new car.
In the meantime, Miami-Dade police are asking anyone who recognizes the suspect or has information to call Crime Stoppers at 305-471-8477.
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