Pines Armed Robbery May Be Linked To Carjackings
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PEMBROKE PINES (CBSMiami) – Pembroke Pines Police are on the hunt for armed carjackers who have struck three times in the same community.
The latest attack happened Monday night inside the Windmill Lakes community off Southwest 86th Avenue.
The 57-year-old woman was getting out of her car when she was surrounded by two men. One held a gun to her head.
A neighbor saw what happened next.
"One grabbed her bag and kicked her. She continued to scream," said the neighbor who asked not to be identified.
The man with the gun was able to rip the keys out of the woman's hand. He then let her up and the woman ran to her apartment.
Both men then ran off. The police were called and an extensive search was conducted, but they were unable to find the men.
Pembroke Pines police say the attack was very similar to two carjackings in a Windmill Lakes parking lot at SW 86th Avenue and SW 5th Street at the end of last year.
On December 13th, a woman was sitting in her vehicle when two armed men approached her from the driver and passenger side doors, each pointing a gun at her. They ordered her out of the car and then drove off in it.
The following day, another woman was carjacked in a similar manner, but this time there were three guys who drove off in her Honda Sonata.
Police believe all the robberies are likely related due to similarities in the location and the suspect descriptions.
Some residents fear the broken gate at the entry and a fence in need of repair is an invitation for criminals.
Pembroke Pines Mayor Frank Ortis was blunt talking about the assailants.
"How dare you attack this woman," Ortis said. "We are coming after you and it's not going to be pretty."
The daughter of Monday's victim, Whitney, said her mom is traumatized but will recover. They hope someone in the community turns in the attackers.
"We don't want this to happen to anybody else," she said.
Whitney said they've lived in Windmill Lakes for 15 years and have had ongoing problems with security over the years, including a broken guard gate for more than a year.
She said they pay money each month for security that isn't provided.
"We always bring them up to the association but they never reply or really do anything about it," she said.
Anyone with information on the attacks is urged to contact the Pembroke Pines Police Department at (954) 431-2200.