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Miami Police Arrest 2 Accused Of Armed Robberies; Appeal For Other Victims To Come Forward

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MIAMI (CBSMiami) — Miami Police have arrested two males who robbed two victims early Wednesday and who detectives say may be serial armed robbers.

A 17-year-old witness told CBS4'S Peter D'Oench that he was on his way to Miami Jackson High School with his mother and he says they saw the two suspects run away and says the victim came up their car and asked them to call 911.

The witness said he was surprised that other people in their cars saw the crime and kept on going. He said the victim was a woman in her mid-30s who told him that the robbers took her purse and cell phone and everything that she had on her.

That crime happened at Northwest 19th Avenue and 35th Street.

Miami Police officer and spokesman Mike Vega said the suspects then robbed a juvenile on 35th Street of his cell phone.

A second witness told D'Oench that that victim was about 16 years old and was robbed while walking to Miami Jackson Senior High School.

The victims were not injured but Miami Police officer and spokesman Mike Vega says it was a traumatic experience for both of them.

"Just imagine that it is early in the morning and you are walking somewhere and two people come up to you and they burnish a gun and tell you to give me your cell phone and give me your purse, that is scary," said Vega.

Vega said the suspects were caught because of swift police work at Northwest 20th Avenue and 68th Street.

"They were both taken into custody and positively identified," said Vega. "It is so important we were able to get them off the street. We don't know what was going to happen if they were going to continue their crime spree and rob other victims."

Vega said they may be serial robbers.

"The way these 2 individuals committed their crimes back to back between 6:45 a.m. and 7 a.m. We do suspect they may have been involved in other crimes, other robberies," said Vega. "So that's why it's so important that if you think you were victimized by them or know other victims you should call Miami Police or Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305 471-TIPS."

Vega said two weapons were also taken in to custody. The victims were not hurt.

Neighbors said they were grateful the suspects had been caught.

Chrispeth, who did not want to give her last name or show all of her face, said, "I always look out for robbers particularly around Christmas time. People always want to get your stuff and you have to be careful. I am glad they got them because if they hadn't caught them I'd really have to be extra careful. My advice is do not carry cash. Use a card and be aware."

Another neighbor, Sugidy Ramirez, said, "Sometimes you have to be careful. There are a lot of robberies around here. This could happen to me at the supermarket. I look everywhere when I am walking."

Speaking in Spanish, another neighbor, Gudelia Tomas, said "This is very difficult. It is difficult walking in the neighborhood. Not too long ago I was robbed too. They took my chain."

Police have so far not released the names of the suspects. Charges are pending.

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