2 men posing as ride-share drivers in Miami Beach's Entertainment District arrested
MIAMI BEACH - Two repeat robbery offenders posing as ride-share drivers in Miami Beach's Entertainment District face several charges, Miami-Beach police said Friday.
Fevry Gentillon, 43, and Kerbert Jean, 56, were arrested by the Miami Beach Police Department's Criminal Investigations Division. They appeared in court Friday and because they were denied bail, they will remain in the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center.
They engaged in a perilous robbery trend targeting inebriated individuals, police said. They posed as rideshare drivers, targeted unsuspecting victims and committed several robberies, including occasionally employing a firearm, according to police.
During their court appearance, one of the undercover detectives said the alleged incident occurred this month at Washington Avenue and 11th Street as the victim was coming out of a bar.
"I got video surveillance from in front of Twist nightclub, which shows the victims entering the defendant's vehicle," the detective said.
The victim, who reportedly was a tourist, corroborated what police revealed about the two suspects.
"They are cab drivers by day and pose as ride-share drivers during the commission of these crimes," police spokesman Christopher Bee said. "Once the victims go inside of the vehicle, they drive them to various locations thought out the city and rob them at gunpoint."
According to the undercover detective, the victim woke up somewhere else -- a hotel in the Brickell area of Miami.
This criminal investigation began after similar incidents were observed.
Detectives identified and apprehended the suspects through meticulous analysis and proactive investigatory methods employed by MBPD's Robbery Unit, police said.
The defendants face charges of armed robbery with a firearm, strong-arm robbery, kidnapping, attempted kidnapping, organized scheme to defraud, identity theft, unlawful possession of a credit or debit card, fraudulent use of a credit card and grand theft in the third degree.
Bond court Judge Mindy Glazed mentioned another crime allegedly committed by Gentillon: a tourist was intoxicated and got into an unknown car in South Beach, south of Fifth Street.
Police said people who visit the district and call for a ride-share driver need to be extra careful, including identifying the driver, the make and model of the vehicle, and always verify the license plate.
They believe more people may have fallen victim to these suspects.
"We regard incidents of this nature with utmost seriousness and are committed to diligently pursuing accountability for those responsible," Chief Wayne Jones said in a news release. "Our primary focus is to ensure the safety of Miami Beach."
Anyone with additional information or who believe they may have fallen victim to these subjects are urged to contact the Miami Beach Police Department's Criminal Investigations Division at 305-673-7945.