3 Men In Custody After Robbery, Chase In Hialeah
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MIAMI (CBSMiami) – Three men are in custody Tuesday evening after a robbery and chase in Hialeah.
Hialeah police said the suspects led police on a chase after a smash and grab at the Cash America pawn shop near the Palmetto and NW 122nd Street.
"I think it went on for seven or eight minutes," said Hialeah Police Department spokesperson Carl Zogby.
It was a silent alarm that notified the police.
"Two guys walk in and they imply that they have weapons. I don't think at this point that any witnesses saw any weapons or any of the victims. They can't get past the bullet proof glass because they are very secure in there. So, they end up taking a bunch of electronics and stuff they have outside in the customer area," Zogby explained.
Police said they ran out into a getaway car, an orange Dodge, and that's when the pursuits begins.
For seven blocks the suspects tried to make their escape, but they crashed into Volkswagen. The female driver suffered minor injuries and was taken to the hospital.
It all ended in a mess. From Chopper4 you could see multiple crashes – cars on the street, middle of intersections and fields – with innocent victims involved.
One suspect was arrested at 84th and Gratigny. The other two bailed and were finally arrested in a field at 42nd and Gratigny.
A 20-year-old suspect was bitten by a K9. He's at Jackson Memorial Hospital where he's being treated for his dog bite.
Police said the other thieves involved are 18 and 29 years old.
"These kind of guys – we don't pursue people for just any sort of infraction or misdemeanor crime," Zogby said. "But when we are talking about armed robbery, we've got fleeing dangerous felons, then we have to pursue."
CBS4's Silva Harapetian spoke to several tenants in the shopping center. They said they are surprised anyone would try a smash and grab because it's so hard to get in and out of this shopping center.
Neighbors said this is the sixth time this Cash America has been robbed. Police confirm there have been incidents here recently, but could not confirm how many.