PINECREST, FLA. (WSVN) - Police seek the public’s help in identifying a man who is believed to be responsible for two attempted carjackings in Pinecrest.
According to police, the incidents happened minutes apart, early Wednesday morning.
An area resident who asked not to be identified said she woke up to an alarming post on her Nextdoor app alerting her that subjects had opened fire just feet from her home.
“You don’t hear of anything [like this], especially a gun going off, you know? It’s crazy,” she said.
The first incident happened along Southwest 77th Avenue and 128th Street while the second occurred about five blocks away, along 82nd Avenue and 128th Street.
Pinecrest Police spokesperson Michelle Hammontree said a woman was targeted in the first attempted carjacking.
“The car stops, one guy gets out with a gun. There’s another guy in the car. They have hoods on,” she said. “They look like criminals. It’s 1 o’clock in the morning, and you’re just going about your business, and this is happening to you.”
In both incidents, the armed man stopped his vehicle in front of the victims’ vehicle, got out, pointed a firearm at them, demanded their valuables and ordered the victims out of their cars.
The victims were able to drive away without any injuries.
“They just hit the gas. They didn’t freeze; they ran,” said Hammontree. “They both did the same thing: they swerved left, and sped up and left and called 911.”
Pictures provided by the police show gunshot holes in the woman’s passenger side door.
“For me, anything having to do with guns is a no-no, so to hear that on my doorstep is just terrible,” said the resident who spoke with 7News.
Police credit the victims’ quick thinking to what may have saved their lives.
“They did exactly the right thing, which is just go, and that should be something that people should take into consideration in any situation where you’re with a person that’s dangerous,” said Hammontree. “The last thing you want to do is give them access to you.”
Police believe the same armed subject was responsible for both incidents.
The man detectives are looking for was last seen wearing a hood-type mask and driving a silver or white sedan.
Police continue to investigate.
If you have any information on these attempted armed carjackings, call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a reward of up to $5,000.
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