Police: Machete-Wielding Duo Arrested For Robbing Gas Station
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HOLLYWOOD (CBSMiami) – A machete-wielding man and his partner have been arrested for a smash and grab on a change machine inside a Hollywood gas station, according to Hollywood Police.
Click here to watch MaryAnn Martinez's report
Police arrested Jeremy Daye Gordon Toylor, 24, and Kevon Michael-Dean Mowatt, 21, on Wednesday in connection to the crime.
Simon Karakunnel, the manager of a gas station on Sheridan Street, said the two men entered the store at 9 p.m. on Tuesday as surveillance cameras rolled, catching the whole thing.
Both men were covering their faces, but police said Mowatt was seen violently swinging his machete on camera.
"It's really very scary situation," said Karakunnel.
A man in a black shirt who police identified as Mowatt bashed open the change machine. Officers said Toylor and Mowatt then stole the bills and coins as they spewed out.
One gas station employee charged at Mowatt who turned to chase the employee, who was able to escape unharmed, according to police.
"He thought it was only a stick. Later he found out, he tried to run away," said Karakunnel "From my opinion he's very brave, but he should have not have chased them."
Karakunnel said the thieves took about $250 worth of change, but is just grateful no one was hurt. He is also glad the crooks were caught on camera.
Mowatt was charged with Robbery with a Weapon and Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon.
Toylor was charged with Robbery with a Weapon Resist an Officer without Violence, and Probation Violation.
Janet White lives across the street from Toylor. She says she's known him for most of his life since he is the same age as her son.
"A few months ago, my mother fell, and he was in the drive way, and he helped her," said White. "She broke her arm, and he's the one that came running when I screamed. He came running, so he's a good kid, but things happen."
Hollywood police say a black gate-away car driven by Toylor and Mowatt is what linked them to other incidents in the area.
Police say the same night as the machete robbery, the two were involved in a fight with a customer at another gas station.
"The suspects left in a dark Honda Civic and the clerk noted that in the back of the vehicle, as it was leaving, there was a large machete," said Lt. Derik Alexander of the Hollywood Police Department.
The same car was seen fleeing from the Hard Rock Seminole early Wednesday morning, linking Toyler to a robbery there.
Seminole Police said at 6:45 am Toyler attempted to cash out a slot machine that guest was playing at the casino. The person playing the slot machine noticed, got upset and made a commotion. Toyler then ran off and left in the car.
Authorities were able to get a picture of the car's license plate and put out a notice that they were searching for that car.
Hollywood police contacted Seminole Police saying they connected a license plate at Hollywood home with the car Toyler fled in.
Toyler was also arrested by Seminole police Wednesday morning and charged with attempted strong arm robbery, according to Seminole Police.
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