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Miami Police Find Striking Similarities In Robberies Just A Week Apart

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MIAMI (CBSMiami) – City of Miami police are piecing together two robberies in very close proximity just a week apart.

Brickell is that neighborhood where you can work and play without ever getting in your car. Whether it's 9 in the morning or 9 at night, it's a walking neighborhood.

"I usually walk around the bars and I do feel safe," Fernando Gonzales said.

Sean McNichols added, "We definitely feel safe."

But in the last couple of weeks, that sense of security has been shaken.

"I have heard a lot more sirens going off lately," Gonzales said. "And last week I heard loud bangs and I heard multiple cops responding to it."

The first theft took place on October 5 at approximately 12:15 a.m.

Police said the victim was walking near SW 1st Ave. and 12th St. when a gun-wielding thief walked up to him.

The armed robber threatened the victim while a female accomplice took his bag.

Both robbers ran with the bag and jumped into a silver Chrysler, fleeing westbound on SW 12th St.

Authorities described the armed thief as a slim-built black man, between 23 to 25 years old, clean shaven and around 5'10" tall. He was last seen wearing a dark hat, t-shirt and pants.

As for his accomplice, police described her as a slim-built black woman, between 21 to 23 years old, approximately 5'4" to 5'5" tall. She was last seen wearing dark shorts and t-shirt.

The next robbery took place on October 12 at 110 SW 12 St. at 10:30 p.m.

According to detectives, three friends were walking alongside the sidewalk on their way home from work.

Police said the three were approached by an armed man. The robber, investigators said, not only demanded their belongings but began to shoot. One victim was hit multiple times.

Investigators said the robber grabbed what he could from the victims and fled westbound on SW 12th St.

This thief also jumped into an awaiting silver Chrysler, driven by an accomplice.

Authorities described him as a slim-built black man, clean shaven, approximately 5'8" to 5'11" tall, but no age given. He was last seen wearing a hooded black shirt, black pants and black shoes.

"Not just these two cases are linked, but possibly the suspects are wanted in other open cases that we have. We're not at liberty to discuss which other open cases, but indeed we wholeheartedly believe that these two suspects are wanted and other cases within the city of Miami jurisdiction," said Miami police spokesperson Kenia Fallat.

CBS4's Tiani Jones asked police if they thought a shooting near Clemente Park, captured on surveillance cameras, was connected.

In that case, an armed female robber opened fire, hitting a 12-year-old, 17-year-old and 20-year-old.

Police said it's too early in their investigation to connect this shooting to the two in Brickell.

While police say they don't want to create fear, there's a real concern, especially since the robbers don't seem to be scared off by groups of people or very public places.

"That's scary because I walk with my friends all the time and I always feel comfortable in big groups," Gonzales said.

If you have any information that can help police, please contact Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at (305) 471-TIPS.

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