Cameras Capture Gunman Who Robbed At Least Two Gas Stations
MIAMI (CBSMiami) -- Miami Police and victims are appealing for the community's help after a surveillance tape was released of a gunman who may have robbed three gas stations in Miami-Dade and Broward in the past six weeks.
"Anytime we have an individual like this with a gun, we have concerns he could take a life," says Miami Police Sgt. Freddie Cruz. "Even though nobody was hurt, who's to say he won't pull the trigger tomorrow."
"I just thank God that no one was hurt but this was scary. This was scary for the cashier," said Alan Rosenblum, the owner of a Shell gas station that was robbed at gunpoint of cash at 6:30 p.m. on September 14th.
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Rosenblum told CBS4's Peter D'Oench that the gunman stormed into the station and demanded that attendant Julio Alvarez give him cash at his station at 3601 Biscayne Boulevard.
"It's a frightening experience," said Rosenblum. "Someone comes in with a gun and puts a gun in the clerk's face. It is a scary experience. I hope police can catch this person and his accomplice. It would make the streets a lot safer, a lot safer for everyone and the
business community."
Miami Police say the same robber struck another Shell gas station at 5:30 p.m. on August 14th at 6690 West Flagler St. Police say he pointed a semi-automatic pistol at the attendant Marile Gutierrez and demanded money. He is seen on surveillance tape wearing a towel of clothing item over his face and reaching over the counter and taking money.
Gutierrez said she was terrified.
"When he came in, he cocked his gun and then said open the register," she said. "When I saw the gun, I assumed what he wanted was the money. Then I moved back and I opened the cash register and I gave him all the money, without looking at him. I was scared to look at him."
Gutierrez said, "At the moment, I was calm. When they left I was nervous. I am watching people now."
Ray Hernandez, a mechanic at the gas station, said "I saw the car speed off and obviously the clerk was terrorized. You have to be vigilant. This is definitely a concern here. It has happened before that cars were broken into but for something like this to happen in broad
daylight it is a scary situation."
"We definitely can confirm that he has robbed two stations in Miami and we are working with Davie Police to see if he robbed another station," said Cruz.
Police say the gunman may have been the same man who fired his weapon while robbing a Chevron gas station Saturday night in the 2300 block of South University Drive in Davie near the Tower Shops. No one was wounded.
Miami Police say they are looking for a black male with a dark complexion, who is 6 feet tall, between 170 and 180 pounds and who is between 30 and 40 years old.
He was last seen wearing a long sleeve grey or blue shirt and blue jeans.
He was also seen in a black BMW that is possibly a 7 Series and has four doors and tinted windows.
"Maybe this car will be a key to the case," said Rosenblum. "It's a very expensive car to commit these crimes in, a late model BMW."
Anyone with information is urged to call Miami-Dade Crimestoppers at (305) 471-TIPS(8477).
Miami Police are also trying to see if the robber has struck other gas stations in other cities as well.
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