Couple Forced To Strip Naked During Beach Robbery

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MIAMI BEACH (CBSMiami) - Two men who reportedly forced a man and woman to strip naked in the sand on Miami Beach during a robbery have been taken into custody along with their suspected get away driver.

On June 16th, just after midnight, the man and woman were walking along the beach when they were approached by two men near 8th Street.

One of the men, later identified as 21-year old Rafael Monroy, brandished a gun and demanded that they strip naked and hand over all of their property, according to police.

Monroy's partner in crime, 21-year old Xavier Lopez, then grabbed their cell phones, wallets, two gold rings and three hundred dollars in cash, according to his arrest report.

The woman told investigators that Monroy made a lewd comment to her while pointing the gun at her. She also said that Lopez groped and fondled her breasts before he sexually battered her. That's when her male companion stepped in between her and Lopez, according to the woman.

Monroy and Lopez then ran south, dumped their victims' clothes near a trash can, got into a waiting car reportedly driven by 20-year old Michael Martinez.

The woman and man hurriedly dressed and called the police.

When they arrested Monroy, they reportedly found on him the two rings taken during the robbery. During Lopez's arrest, police found a clear zip lock bag on him which had two Xanax tablets wrapped in aluminum foil.

Monroy has been charged with armed robbery and dealing in stolen property. Lopez is facing armed robbery, sexual battery and possession of a controlled substance charges while Martinez has been charged with armed robbery and credit card fraud.