Florida City Police Investigating Rash Of Robberies
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FLORIDA CITY (CBSMiami) – Police are investigating a string of robberies—all within a mile of each other—in Florida City.
Police in the area have alerted some visitors heading down to the Keys.
Three of the robberies happened within view of each other. One of the three happened in a lot near the Best Western off US-1, two others happened across the street at a Travelodge and a Denny's.
Two gun-men stormed a Denny's in Florida City. The robbers forced a waitress to open a register. The video, from January 5th, doesn't show the thieves taking the wallets of two customers and one employee.
Click here to watch MaryAnn Martinez's report.
The Denny's robbery is one of four robberies since the first of the year.
News of the robberies worried Cameron Powell, a Florida City resident who frequents that Denny's with his son.
The Ramada Inn in the area was also held-up at gun point on January 9th.
On January 5th there was an armed robbery on the vacant lot of the Best Western. Police say tourists were sitting inside a car when they were approached by a man with gun. He demanded money, as well as a driver license, and a social security card.
News of the robberies is not what tourist Alan Metzin wanted to hear on his drive down to the Keys.
"So I should head back to Minnesota and get out here I guess?" Metzin said.
"This is our biggest tourist time and therefore there are a lot of tourist and things in the area," said Chief Pedro Taylor with the Florida City Police Department.
Police said this is a new problem to the businesses on either side of US-1. While investigators aren't ready to say the incidents are connected, they are looking into the possibility. In reaction to the robberies police are also beefing up their presence.
"We have high visibility, we have some surveillance taking place, we have some undercover taking place," said Chief Taylor.
"To see the patrol car, it makes me feel better. It'd be nice if they catch them, though," said a Florida City resident Tuesday.
Police said they are working on leads since releasing the surveillance video from Denny's. The biggest challenge, however, is that the robbers have had their faces covered and wore gloves in two of the robberies.
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