MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. — A 17-year-old girl and two males robbed a man at gunpoint Wednesday in northwest Miami-Dade, authorities said.
According to an arrest report for one of the suspects, the victim met the teen, Karmen Elizabeth Pena, two weeks ago and they exchanged phone numbers.
Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office deputies said Pena lured the victim to the backyard of a home in the 800 block of Northwest 140th Street early Wednesday morning.
The victim told deputies that he was sitting in a folding chair, talking to Pena, when he heard rustling behind him and then was suddenly confronted by two unknown males, one of whom was armed with an AR-15 style gun and the other who was masked and armed with a handgun.
According to the arrest report, the suspect carrying the AR-15 style gun was later identified as Max Widley Leonel, 22, of Miami.
Deputies said the victim was pistol-whipped in the forehead, at which time he grabbed Pena in an attempt to shield himself from the others.
But deputies said Pena broke free and pulled out a gun as well.
According to the report, all three suspects then forced the victim at gunpoint to return to the front of the home where his vehicle was located and they demanded money from him.
Deputies said they removed $500 in cash from the center console of the vehicle and then told him to send them money via Cash App, but he claimed that he didn’t have money in Cash App, but could send funds via ApplePay. The suspects, however, didn’t have ApplePay accounts, authorities said.
According to the report, a car drove by a short time later, which startled the suspects. The victim said he took that opportunity to run away and hide before calling 911.
Deputies said Pena was located outside the home and was taken into custody.
She admitted to planning the robbery and possessing a gun, authorities said.
Deputies said Leonel exited the home as they approached and was identified by the victim as one of the robbers.
Leonel provided deputies with a “self-serving statement,” the report stated.
He was arrested on charges of armed robbery, aggravated battery, kidnapping while armed with a firearm and armed burglary.
Pena is facing similar charges. Her mugshot was not immediately available.
As of Thursday afternoon, Leonel remained held at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center. Online jail records listed his bond as “to be set.”
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