Coral Gables Police are working with Miami-Dade and Pinecrest, Palmetto Bay and Cutler Bay police agencies to solve an armed home invasion robbery in the Gables last month that is similar to others in the nearby cities.

At 5:30 p.m. on Sept. 20, the robber entered the home in the Gables by the Sea area through an open garage door and confronted the homeowner -- and her minor son -- with a gun demanding property, police said.

''The common denominator is that open garage door,'' Gables Police Chief Richard Naue said when asked about the similarities between the robberies.

''What happens is that the homeowner has been challenged or accosted when coming out of the garage door or the perpetrator has been waiting for them as they entered their garage from their homes,'' Naue said.

In the Gables robbery, the gunman wore a ski mask, according to the police report.

When the resident, a 48-year-old woman, opened the kitchen door leading to the garage, the man pointed the gun at her face and forced his way into the home. He demanded money and jewelry and asked if anyone else was in the house.

The woman told the gunman her son was in a back bedroom and the gunman took her there.

As he entered the room, the robber pointed his gun at the young man and said ``I'm not going to hurt you. Give me the money and the jewelry.''

The victim took off her diamond wedding ring valued at $15,000 and a $500 wedding band and handed it to the gunman, saying ``Take my rings and money.''

They all walked back to the kitchen where she gave him her wallet from her purse on the counter. It had $500 cash and credit cards inside.

He then asked her to go get her keys and start her car while he watched from the kitchen.

After she started the car and backed away from it, the gunman took off in her silver 2006 Mercedes-Benz 350.

That's similar to the other cases, where the victims' vehicles were also taken by the suspect,'' Naue said.

The Gables case was different in that it occurred late on a Saturday afternoon, he added.

``Other locations most of those incidents were midweek and mid day.''

Police have urged homeowners to keep their garage doors closed and all doors locked and call 305-442-1600 if they see any suspicious vehicles or persons in their neighborhood.

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