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Three Young Men Arrested In Miami Beach Brass Knuckle Beating

MIAMI BEACH (CBSMiami) - Police made three arrests in connection with a robbery and beating last weekend that left a 30-year-old man badly bruised.

Alberto Mora, 20, Bryan Catin, 19, and Carlos Leiva, 19, were arrested Wednesday, each face multiple charges for the alleged beating and robbing of a French citizen Sunday morning in Miami Beach.

The 30-year-old victim was interviewed by CBS4's Peter D'Oench Tuesday.

READ: French Citizen Savagely Beaten On Miami Beach

The victim, who asked D'Oench to call him Peter and to not have all his face shown, said he was walking home to his apartment at 4:40 a.m. Sunday, near Flamingo Park at 11th Street and Jefferson Court, when two men suddenly attacked him. He said they used brass knuckles to beat him, and stole his wallet that contained five debit and credit cards.

The victim's left eye was battered and bruised, making it difficult to open both eyes. Peter and his wife, also a French citizen, have been consulting with doctors to see if he'll need plastic surgery.

According to the arrest affidavit, Leiva and Mora approached the victim. Leiva, without provocation, struck the victim on the head wearing brass knuckles. The two men reportedly continued to beat the man, and then robbed him of his keys and wallet.

Catin, according to the arrest affidavit, was driving Leiva's car, a 2007 BMW, which both Mora and Leiva ran to after the alleged beating.

Catin reportedly lost control while turning onto 9th street from Jefferson Court and collided with a parked car. The three young men ran away.

CLICK HERE to watch CBS4's report

The car was eventually reported stolen by Leiva to the City of Miami Police Department.

On Wednesday, detectives interviewed Leiva about the stolen car. During the interview, when confronted with the details of the crime, Leiva reportedly provided a confession to the crime.

Leiva, according to the arrest report, "admitted to being the one who was in possession and use of the brass knuckles while robbing the victim."

Both Mora and Catin reportedly confessed to their involvement in the incident.

All three were arrested Wednesday and transported to the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center.

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