Local
Doral police say two men arrested in armed robbery tied to phone sale
Two men were arrested after a buyer was allegedly held at gunpoint during a phone deal in Doral and escaped by throwing a bag of cash from the moving car. Police say the incident happened Oct. 9 and urge residents to meet marketplace sellers in secure public locations.
Two men have been arrested on kidnapping and robbery charges after a buyer was allegedly forced into a car at gunpoint during a phone sale in Doral, police said.
The victim had previously bought a phone from one of the suspects, Doral Police Chief Matthew Castillo said. The seller later contacted him about buying additional phones and arranged to meet outside an apartment complex.
When the buyer opened the car’s front passenger door, he saw another man hiding in the back seat with a firearm, Castillo said. The suspects drove him several blocks while threatening him, police said.
Near Northwest 87th Avenue and Northwest 58th Street, the victim tried to get out of the moving vehicle. The men pulled him back inside, according to police. He then threw a satchel containing cash out of the window to distract the man in the back seat and managed to escape, Castillo said.
Lazaro Nunez Martinez was arrested and charged with kidnapping and robbery. He appeared before a judge Monday. Police also arrested a second suspect, Darian Ernesto Morejon Rodriguez, in Broward County that day.
Police urged people arranging transactions with strangers online not to share personal information and to choose a secure meeting place. Castillo said some police departments offer station lobbies as safe locations for exchanges.