Robbery suspects, hostage and bystander killed after hijacking, dramatic police chase
https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/crime/article238090049.html (http://archive.vn/N9cTV)
Armed robbers hijacked a UPS truck after a robbery in Coral Gables, leading police cars on a harrowing chase up Interstate 75 that ended Thursday night in a dramatic shootout on a busy street in Miramar.
Law-enforcement sources told the Miami Herald that four people were killed: the two robbers, a UPS driver who was taken hostage and a bystander who was inside an idle car at the scene.
An image captured by the Miami Herald showed someone dead behind the wheel of a dark-colored sedan, its windows covered up by authorities.
Miramar police said there “multiple fatalities,” but no police officers were hurt.
The dramatic hostage-taking, chase and shooting was broadcast live by TV news helicopters.
Footage showed a terrifying scene at the peak of rush hour, as the UPS truck slowed to a stop on Miramar Parkway near Flamingo Road in the midst of a cluster of stopped cars shortly after 5:30 p.m. News cameras zoomed in on the passenger side of the truck, and showed the small bursts of light and smoke indicating gunfire.
Several flashes followed as a man’s leg became visible from the door, followed by another man climbing over him, an arm over his head for protection amid the chaos.
Another view from the other side of the van showed cops rushing in. Soon, more than 20 officers had descending on men lying next to the vehicle. Large smears of blood were visible on the roadway as police, and soon paramedics, rushed in to help the wounded.
Because of the carjacking, the FBI will spearhead the investigation. As in all police shooting cases, state prosecutors will also review whether officers broke any laws in using deadly force.
Police say the incident began Thursday at 4:17 p.m. in Coral Gables, when at least two men tried robbing Regent Jeweler’s at 386 Miracle Mile. Officers, alerted by a silent alarm, rushed to the scene within minutes.
A law enforcement source told the Herald that a robber fired into the floor and the bullet ricocheted, hitting a female employee of the store in the forehead.
At least one bullet flew toward Coral Gables City Hall across the street.
Billy Urquia, the Coral Gables city clerk, was in his private office when he heard a gun shot, then a second, and then the sound of a bullet piercing his window.
“The bullet ricocheted off the wall and landed on the floor,” Urquia said Thursday night. “The last one I heard was the one that came in.”
Urquia said he hurried outside his office to find a city security guard already on the phone with police. He estimated the bullet missed him by about two or three feet. A photo taken afterward shows the bullet hole looming over Urquia’s monitor, just below the window blinds. “No glass hit me,” Urquia said.
The UPS truck was carjacked soon afterward, although authorities didn’t say exactly where.
“The individuals abducted the driver of the truck as well as the truck itself,” Coral Gables Chief Edward Hudak said.
Police officers soon found the UPS truck, which made its way up the Florida Turnpike, then Okeechobee Road, then onto Interstate 75 into Broward County. The robbers apparently shot at cops during the chase.
The van exited in Pembroke Pines and weaved its way through the streets — at one point breaking through a traffic arm into the Century Village community — all while followed by a long stream of police cars.
After the shooting, paramedics rushed to treat the injured men. WSVN-Channel 7 reported that at least one person was being airlifted to a trauma center.
Law-enforcement authorities in two counties were scrambling Thursday night to figure out what happened. So was UPS, which is in the middle of the busy holiday gift-delivery season.
“We are trying to learn about the status of our personnel and are concerned about their safety,” a UPS spokesman said in a statement. “We appreciate law enforcement’s service and will cooperate with them to bring the individuals to justice who put our people in harm’s way.”
https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/crime/article238090049.html (http://archive.vn/N9cTV)
Armed robbers hijacked a UPS truck after a robbery in Coral Gables, leading police cars on a harrowing chase up Interstate 75 that ended Thursday night in a dramatic shootout on a busy street in Miramar.
Law-enforcement sources told the Miami Herald that four people were killed: the two robbers, a UPS driver who was taken hostage and a bystander who was inside an idle car at the scene.
An image captured by the Miami Herald showed someone dead behind the wheel of a dark-colored sedan, its windows covered up by authorities.
Miramar police said there “multiple fatalities,” but no police officers were hurt.
The dramatic hostage-taking, chase and shooting was broadcast live by TV news helicopters.
Footage showed a terrifying scene at the peak of rush hour, as the UPS truck slowed to a stop on Miramar Parkway near Flamingo Road in the midst of a cluster of stopped cars shortly after 5:30 p.m. News cameras zoomed in on the passenger side of the truck, and showed the small bursts of light and smoke indicating gunfire.
Several flashes followed as a man’s leg became visible from the door, followed by another man climbing over him, an arm over his head for protection amid the chaos.
Another view from the other side of the van showed cops rushing in. Soon, more than 20 officers had descending on men lying next to the vehicle. Large smears of blood were visible on the roadway as police, and soon paramedics, rushed in to help the wounded.
Because of the carjacking, the FBI will spearhead the investigation. As in all police shooting cases, state prosecutors will also review whether officers broke any laws in using deadly force.
Police say the incident began Thursday at 4:17 p.m. in Coral Gables, when at least two men tried robbing Regent Jeweler’s at 386 Miracle Mile. Officers, alerted by a silent alarm, rushed to the scene within minutes.
A law enforcement source told the Herald that a robber fired into the floor and the bullet ricocheted, hitting a female employee of the store in the forehead.
At least one bullet flew toward Coral Gables City Hall across the street.
Billy Urquia, the Coral Gables city clerk, was in his private office when he heard a gun shot, then a second, and then the sound of a bullet piercing his window.
“The bullet ricocheted off the wall and landed on the floor,” Urquia said Thursday night. “The last one I heard was the one that came in.”
Urquia said he hurried outside his office to find a city security guard already on the phone with police. He estimated the bullet missed him by about two or three feet. A photo taken afterward shows the bullet hole looming over Urquia’s monitor, just below the window blinds. “No glass hit me,” Urquia said.
The UPS truck was carjacked soon afterward, although authorities didn’t say exactly where.
“The individuals abducted the driver of the truck as well as the truck itself,” Coral Gables Chief Edward Hudak said.
Police officers soon found the UPS truck, which made its way up the Florida Turnpike, then Okeechobee Road, then onto Interstate 75 into Broward County. The robbers apparently shot at cops during the chase.
The van exited in Pembroke Pines and weaved its way through the streets — at one point breaking through a traffic arm into the Century Village community — all while followed by a long stream of police cars.
After the shooting, paramedics rushed to treat the injured men. WSVN-Channel 7 reported that at least one person was being airlifted to a trauma center.
Law-enforcement authorities in two counties were scrambling Thursday night to figure out what happened. So was UPS, which is in the middle of the busy holiday gift-delivery season.
“We are trying to learn about the status of our personnel and are concerned about their safety,” a UPS spokesman said in a statement. “We appreciate law enforcement’s service and will cooperate with them to bring the individuals to justice who put our people in harm’s way.”
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