CORAL GABLES, FLA. (WSVN) - It was a quick takedown for the Coral Gables Police officers who arrested three male juveniles, 23 minutes after, officials said, they carjacked a couple at gunpoint.
Coral Gables Police responded to the scene of the incident along the 1500 block of San Ignacio Avenue, just after 7:40 p.m., Monday.
Investigators said the subjects targeted the victims, who are in their 50s, in a parking garage for their gray Toyota sedan.
Officers quickly put the call out for the trio throughout the entire city.
At 23 minutes, just after 8 p.m., two Coral Gables Police officers spotted the vehicle about half a mile away, underneath the University Metrorail Station, across from the University of Miami campus.
“I think they were trying to hide,” said Coral Gables Police Officer Kelly Denham. “We’ve been heavily saturating the area the last couple of weeks, so we don’t know if they spotted one of our units and decided to come over into this dark parking lot and hide.”
Officers found all three subjects inside the car and apprehended them without incident.
“It’s a 23-minute timeline, from the time the incident occurred to the time that they were taken into custody,” said Denham.
Officials said this is a perfect example of how quickly their city can come together and go after criminals.
“The message is, in Coral Gables, we’re out there looking for you people,” said Denham. “The people who are coming to the city to commit the crime, you’re not going home. You’re going into jail.”
Police officers who recovered the Toyota found a gun and the victims’ cellphone inside.
Officials said the victims are OK. Late Monday night, they were at the police station providing a statement.
Detectives have not disclosed the subjects’ ages or what charges they may face.
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