Little Haiti Catering Worker Robbed At Gunpoint
Follow CBSMIAMI.COM: Facebook | Twitter
MIAMI (CBSMiami) - Surveillance cameras were rolling as a Little Haiti catering manager was robbed at gunpoint as his friend stood by unable to help.
It happened July 4th at the catering business on NW 54 St. at 1st Ave. just after 6 pm on July 4th.
Assistant manager Ignacio Peña, 27, was working in the kitchen with his friend, Garry Charles, when two young people walked in, one had a gun.
Peña said the person with the gun, who police said was 17 to 19 years old and was wearing a red hoodie, approached him from behind, put the gun to his head and said, "Stay there. Gimme the chain, gimme the bracelet."
Detectives said the gunman was clean shaven and was also wearing dark blue sweatpants that had a Jr. ROTC logo on them.
"It was kinda scary when people surprise you with a gun in their hand," Peña told CBS4's Peter D'Oench. "I was working, I was busy, they just surprised me, they put a gun to my head and started taking everything from me."
"It was crazy," he added. "You don't know what' showing to happen to you. It was scary. It was really a bad surprise but I did what I had to do."
Meanwhile, the second male positioned himself in front of Charles so he wouldn't intervene. Police said that accomplice was also about 5'6" tall and was 15 or 16 years old and was wearing a white tank top and red and black basketball shorts.
"It's very disheartening, this situation could have very well turned into a violent situation where the victim could have been killed," said Miami police officer Earnest Lawrence.
Lawrence said Peña did the right thing.
"When confronted like this, do whatever you are told and once they leave let the police handle the situation," said Lawrence.
Peña handed over his jewelry, wallet with cash and cell phone and four bank cards. The armed teen and his friend then left. Peña and Charles were shaken up, but not hurt.
Lawrence said they would like to get these teens off the street.
"If we have things like this occurring, it's only a matter of time before these subjects strike again," said Lawrence.
Peña said, "If you have seen these guys on the tape and you recognize them and can help me out, call the police, because while I am OK, they could do this again. It could be you. They were using my cards everywhere, trying to take money out. There has got to be more security with these cards. You shouldn't just sell things to people without getting ID."
The teens were captured on surveillance using the Peña's bank card at the CVS Pharmacy located at 4800 Biscayne Blvd. later that the same day.
Anyone with information is asked to call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at (305) 471-TIPS.
