Miami Beach police identify carjacking suspects who caused chaos on a causeway
After tying up rush-hour traffic in Miami Beach on Tuesday night, Miami Beach police identified three armed carjacking suspects on Wednesday morning.
The three are 17-year-old Joseph Torres and 18-year-olds Juan Mena and Austin Fernandez. They each have been charged with armed carjacking.
Police said they pointed a gun at a man sitting in his 2003 Volkswagen Jetta, at about 1:15 p.m. in the 300 block of 72nd Street, and robbed him of his watch, phone and car.
Police located them driving the car on the Venetian Causeway.
The causeway was closed at about 5:45 p.m. after the trio bailed out of the car and ran onto Di Lido Island, a residential area along the causeway.
Officers searched the area and eventually arrested the three after 8 p.m. Tuesday,
Mena and Fernandez are also facing charges of conspiracy to commit armed robbery and robbery with a deadly weapon. The unidentified victim wasn’t injured, police said.
Update: Officers located and arrested 3 subjects from the armed carjacking earlier today. A firearm was also recovered.
— Miami Beach Police (@MiamiBeachPD) November 15, 2017
Roadway will reopen shortly. Many thanks to @MiamiDadePD @MiamiPD @MiamiBeachFire and FHP for their assistance. pic.twitter.com/1fgXWcLe9c
Lance Dixon: 305-376-3708, @LDixon_3
This story was originally published November 15, 2017 at 11:05 AM with the headline "Miami Beach police identify carjacking suspects who caused chaos on a causeway."