MIAMI (WSVN) - Police are currently investigating several armed robberies all believed to be committed by the same crooks in Miami.
City of Miami Police responded to several scenes on Tuesday morning, where at least seven people said they fell victim to two armed men.
One of the victims was the husband of Xiomara Rivera, works at a bakery located in the area of Northwest 12th Avenue and Fifth Street.
“I’m very nervous,” said Rivera through a translator.
Every morning, Rivera said, her husband walks her to work.
“He comes with me because it makes me scared to open alone,” she said.
Officials said the crooks approached the victim at around 5 a.m. and asked for the time.
“He thought it was someone who was coming to have breakfast,” said Rivera.
City of Miami Police Officer Michael Vega said the duo targeted Rivera and her husband just when they were about to turn the key to open the entrance door.
“They asked him what time it was. “They said this in Spanish, they said, ‘¿Qué hora es?’” said Vega. “At which time the victim turned around and noticed one of them was pointing a firearm at him.”
Police said the men pointed a gun at him and demanded his wallet and keys.
Detectives said Rivera’s husband was also armed and shot at the two crooks as they made their way into a getaway car and fled the scene.
“We don’t know if anyone was hit, but we do need the public’s help in catching these brazen robbers,” said Vega.
Surveillance video captured what investigators believe was the getaway vehicle.
Officers responded to the scene moments later, but by that time, the crooks were gone.
Police were also seen investigating a different scene nearby in the area of Northwest 36th Street and 30th Avenue.
Officials believe the robbers have also targeted businesses in the areas of Little Havana, along Coral Way, up and down Northwest 36th Street in Northwest Miami-Dade and near Jackson Memorial Hospital.
According to detectives, in every instance, the men approached their victims in the same manner.
“Always two of them get down, say, ‘What time is it?’ When the person turns around, they produce a firearm and demand money and jewelry,” said Vega.
Police are urging business owners and employees to be extra vigilant when opening and closing their stores until these men are caught.
One neighboring business employee said she already had a run-in with a crook recently.
“The man came in and take this and put his hand here. I come in from the back and say, ‘What happened?’” said the business owner.
Authorities believe there are four men involved in the robberies who fled from the scene in a dark colored four-door sedan.
One of the suspects is described between the ages of 18 to 20 years old, weighing approximately 150 pounds, clean-shaven, last seen wearing a dark hoodie and armed with a silver revolver.
The second crook is said to be between 18 to 20 years old, around 130 pounds, standing approximately 5 feet 6 inches and armed with a black revolver.
A third passenger in the vehicle is described as being between the ages of 22 to 25 years old and was armed with a black revolver.
Police do not have a description of the driver behind the wheel of the getaway car.
If you have any information on this string of armed robberies, call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a $1,000 reward.
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