A recent robbery attempt in southwest Miami-Dade has raised concerns among local business owners, who fear a group of Cuban criminals may be behind a string of high-end perfume store thefts in the area.
The incident took place early Wednesday morning, around 3:00 am, at Valencia Perfumes, located at the intersection of 107th Avenue and 40th Street.
At least four individuals arrived at the location and attempted to break in through the back door using a cutting tool. However, their efforts were thwarted when the tool's battery died.
Security cameras captured the suspects trying to get the tool to work, with conversations revealing typical Cuban expressions and their distinctive accent.
Ulises Valencia, the store owner, told Telemundo 51 that his shop had previously been targeted by thieves over a year ago, resulting in the loss of approximately $100,000 worth of high-end perfumes.
"They know we have expensive perfumes here. Some fragrances are worth $400 or $500 and are sold on the black market for half the price in just one day," he explained.
Valencia suspects the same group may be responsible for both incidents and believes they operate in a coordinated manner.
The store owner shared the surveillance footage of the attempted robbery on social media, revealing that the suspects used a stolen vehicle.
"Thanks to the community, we found out the car they used was stolen. The owner recognized it and called me, saying, 'That's my car. I reported it stolen on October 4th, and not even the detective has contacted me with any updates,'" Ulises questioned.
According to Valencia, other perfume businesses in the vicinity have also faced recent robbery attempts.
"I have a friend named Santiago who was also targeted, and a woman named Leidy who had an attempted robbery on Monday. They're doing it frequently because these cases aren't being resolved," he asserted.
The Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office has confirmed awareness of these incidents and stated that investigations are ongoing.
Authorities urge business owners to report all cases and ask for the community's help in identifying and apprehending the suspects.
They remind everyone that any information can be immediately reported to the county's crime stop line, with the possibility of receiving a monetary reward.
This latest robbery attempt highlights a troubling pattern of crimes targeting perfume shops in Miami-Dade and the perception of impunity that, according to local merchants, has allowed criminals to continue their actions without immediate repercussions.
Frequent Questions About Miami-Dade Perfume Shop Robberies
Who are suspected to be behind these Miami-Dade perfume shop robberies?
Suspicions point to a group of Cuban criminals who may be responsible for a series of high-end perfume store thefts in Miami-Dade.
How do the suspects conduct their robbery attempts?
The suspects tend to target stores at night, using tools to break in, and have been seen using stolen vehicles to facilitate their crimes.
What actions are authorities taking against these robberies?
The Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office is aware of the incidents and is conducting investigations. They encourage reports and community assistance in identifying suspects.