MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. — A third suspect has been arrested in connection with a pair of downtown Miami Rolex robberies that authorities say happened just over a year ago, including one in which he allegedly shot a victim.
Christopher Perez-Ponton, 33, of Carolina, Puerto Rico, was arrested Tuesday by the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office, according to investigators.
Perez-Ponton is facing charges stemming from an Aug. 3, 2025, robbery near Flagler Street and Miami Avenue, where investigators say a victim was shot in the ankle during a struggle over his Rolex watch and wallet.
According to an arrest report, the victim and a friend were walking toward the E11EVEN nightclub after leaving the victim’s home when a gray SUV stopped and occupants asked for directions. Deputies said after the victim gave directions, the pair continued walking.
The report states that as the victim and his friend approached 26 East Flagler Street, one of them heard footsteps and saw the same men from the vehicle running toward them.
Investigators said Perez-Ponton approached the victim while holding a gun, while Manuel Emilio Linarez Julia grabbed him, leading to a physical struggle.
“The victim noticed that Christopher Perez-Ponton had the gun pointed at his head, and he pulled it away,” the report states. “During the struggle, Christopher Perez-Ponton shot the victim in the left ankle.”
The report states Linarez Julia, 32, then took the victim’s Rolex watch and wallet during the confrontation.
Deputies said Edgar Perez-Ponton, who investigators identified as one of the suspects, allegedly chased after the victim’s companion as the robbery unfolded. As the suspects fled, Christopher Perez-Ponton allegedly grabbed the victim’s phone from the ground, according to the report.
Deputies said the victim was taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital’s Ryder Trauma Center for treatment of the gunshot wound.
Investigators said surveillance video captured the robbery and showed the suspects following the victim before fleeing the area.
They said additional surveillance footage showed a gray Alfa Romeo SUV leaving west on Flagler Street, which detectives later linked to the vehicle through a license plate reader search.
According to the report, detectives later identified Edgar Perez-Ponton, 35, as the registered owner of the SUV. Investigators said they also obtained cellphone records that placed Perez-Ponton’s phone near the robbery scene at the time of the crime.
Authorities previously arrested Linarez Julia and Edgar Perez-Ponton in connection with the case. Deputies said the investigation also linked the suspects to a second Rolex robbery that happened the day before, on Aug. 2, 2025, near the E11EVEN nightclub.
In that case, investigators said the three suspects approached a victim after he left the club and stole his Rolex watch and cellphone while holding him at gunpoint.
The arrest report states investigators obtained text messages between Linarez Julia and a phone number belonging to Christopher Perez-Ponton that included photos of the two men together and a screenshot of a flight ticket showing Christopher Perez-Ponton traveled from San Juan to Miami on Aug. 1, 2025.
Jail records show all three men are facing charges of armed robbery and one count of aggravated battery with a firearm causing bodily harm.
As of Wednesday morning, Christopher Perez-Ponton and Edgar Perez-Ponton were being held without bond at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center, while Linarez Julia was being held without bond at the Metrowest Detention Center.
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