MIAMI BEACH, FLA. (WSVN) - Police are searching for three men involved in an armed carjacking in Miami Beach.
Miami Beach Police responded to a parking lot outside of a Walgreens on the 6700 block of Collins Avenue, at around 4:15 a.m., Tuesday.
Officials said three men approached a 2016 white BMW hardtop convertible with red interior where a male and female were sitting with the top down.
The two victims were ordered out of the car at gunpoint before the man was punched by one of the suspected armed carjackers.
The three carjackers then took off with the victim’s vehicle.
“I mean to be honest, man, it’s kind of hair-raising because I always park my car here, so it’s good to know,” said Jose Cisneros, a resident of the area. “I was actually here last night, and I saw some weird, suspicious activity but didn’t think twice about it. Next night, you know, somebody’s car robbed. I mean, that’s not cool – with guns. It does hit close to home. You don’t see that quite often. You always gotta be aware — one step ahead.”
Officials were able to locate the BMW shortly after in the area of 50th Street and Alton Road, and the men led police on a pursuit.
Cellphone video captured part of the chase along the westbound lanes of Julia Tuttle Causeway and northbound on Interstate 95.
Officials said the subjects were able to get away. They were last seen in the City of Miami in the area of Northwest 79th Street and 109th Street.
Back at the scene of the carjacking, the victim spoke with investigators.
The manager of the Walgreens said he has turned over surveillance video to police.
Tourists and residents were shocked to learn about the incident.
“Wow, that’s crazy,” said a passer-by.
“Wow, that’s pretty surprising here,” said Sunny Isles Beach resident Quinin Thomas. “You would think that would go on somewhere else, like on the other side of the bay.”
Police said the carjackers also got away with the driver’s purse and cellphone.
If you have any information on this armed carjacking, 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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