MIAMI (WSVN) - Newly released surveillance video is painting a picture of what transpired before the police pursuit that ended in a fiery wreck in Miami.
The victim, a business owner who didn’t want his identity revealed, spoke exclusively with 7News to recount exactly what happened Monday night.
He and his employee were outside the business he owns in the area of Northwest 36th Street and 17th Avenue when a man was seen on video passing by on a bicycle.
The man returned a short time after with a shotgun and demanded their cash, phones, and the employee’s red Honda Civic.
“He was holding a shotgun … so he came up to us, and he was like, ‘Yo, lemme get everything you guys have,'” the victim said. “I lost a couple of bucks, but my friend just lost his car. I mean, he’s heartbroken.”
When asked whether he was worried he might be killed, the victim replied, “Absolutely, absolutely.”
“He just pulled his gun, and it was bad,” he added.
Miami Police officers noticed the stolen Honda, Tuesday afternoon, and tried to initiate a traffic stop, but the suspect hit the gas.
Authorities identified the man behind the wheel as 18-year-old Kieron Darnell Womble.
A high-speed chase ensued, and officials said, Officer Jordany Bahamonde placed his cruiser head-on in the Honda’s path, preventing Womble from hopping over the median into incoming traffic on U.S. 1, near Northwest 17th Avenue.
“He was out of control,” said the victim.
City of Miami Fire Rescue was dispatched to put out a fire after one of the vehicles burst into flames.
Both the officer and the suspect were hospitalized with minor injuries.
Womble was arrested on a slew of charges, including aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, eluding police and having a firearm while committing as felony. He remains behind bars.
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