MIAMI GARDENS, FLA. (WSVN) - A Miami Gardens woman said her sense of security has been shattered after she was carjacked in front of her home in broad daylight, but she did not give up without a fight.
The victim, Yuleidys Travieso, is still shaken up after her car was stolen along Northwest 30th Avenue and 170th Street in Miami Gardens, around 7:45 a.m., Tuesday.
“When I looked up, he was like almost on top of me,” Travieso said.
She said she was on her way to work when she noticed a truck pull up to the house next to hers.
“She saw a dark, possible olive-colored truck approached her,” said Miami Gardens Police Officer Nelly Joseph.
At first, Travieso said, she didn’t think anything of it since the neighboring house is under renovation, but within seconds, she learned she was wrong.
“It was so quick that I did not have time to process what was happening in that moment,” Travieso said.
Police said the man got out of a truck, shoved her multiple times before getting into her gray 2017 Dodge Charger with black racing stripes. He fled the scene eastbound.
“A male exited the vehicle, wearing dark colors and a book bag, used threats and intimidation, took her keys and fled with her vehicle,” said Joseph.
7News spoke with a witness who said he was in his truck when he heard yelling.
“I just heard someone screaming, and I see her wrestling with the guy or whatever,” said neighbor David Lopez. “She’s trying to jump back in the car, on the driver’s side, but he’s wrestling with her. He gets in the driver’s side, backs up, she jumps in, but she just gave up after that because she didn’t want to get run over, and then he just took off.”
Officials want residents to be aware of the situation in case the robber strikes again.
“Right now, we don’t know what the motives are,” Joseph said. “We just want to make sure our community stays alert, and if they see anything that feels a bit funny or out of place, just give us a call.”
The robber is believed to be between 18 and 20 years old with a slim build.
Police said the victim’s vehicle, a gray 2017 Dodge Charger, has a Florida tag JIG K75.
If you have any information on this carjacking, call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS or Broward County Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a reward.
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