A 39-year-old woman, identified as Sarah Tavano, faces ten criminal charges in Miami-Dade County after being accused of drugging and stealing from numerous men she met at bars and nightclubs across the city.
According to police reports, Tavano employed a recurring pattern involving the use of substances to incapacitate her victims, aiming to steal luxury watches, designer bags, cash, smartphones, and gain access to bank accounts and cryptocurrency.
The incidents took place between October and December 2025, leading to her arrest on January 18, 2026, at the Sugar nightclub located on the 40th floor of the EAST hotel in Brickell.
At the time of her arrest, Tavano was found carrying a bottle with suspicious liquid, pills, a white powdery substance, and claimed that the bottle contained MDMA.
Nighttime Encounters: Drinks, Deception, and Theft
As per police documentation, Tavano approached men in upscale bars like Sugar in Brickell or El Patio in Wynwood, initiated conversations, and managed to get invited to their hotel rooms or apartments.
Once inside, they would share drinks, and shortly after, the men would experience symptoms such as nausea, dizziness, weakness, and loss of consciousness.
“He drank a beverage... then started feeling ill, experiencing sudden nausea, weakness, and dizziness, before losing consciousness,” one victim reported to local media.
Another man described “prolonged symptoms of nausea, extreme weakness, dizziness, and vomiting lasting approximately a week.”
In every instance, victims regained consciousness the following day to find valuable items missing: Rolex watches, cash, credit cards, phones, designer handbags, and jewelry.
In at least one case, fraudulent transactions were discovered on cryptocurrency platforms and financial apps.
Documented Incidents
October 26, 2025 – Brickell
A man reported that items valued over $50,000 were stolen from his apartment at Latitude on the River in downtown Miami.
The previous day, he had met a woman — later identified as Tavano — at Blackbird bar.
Reports indicate the man was “heavily intoxicated” during the encounter and did not recall inviting her to his residence.
Security cameras caught the suspect entering the apartment, taking two suitcases, changing clothes, and leaving in a white sedan.
A fingerprint found on a watch box matched Tavano's.
Among the stolen items were bags and purses from Louis Vuitton, Alexander McQueen, Valentino, Versace, Gucci, and Saint Laurent, along with gold and diamond jewelry.
“She wore the stolen clothes... took the suitcases... filled with over 20 luxury bags,” Tavano confessed after her arrest.
December 10 – Wynwood and Brickell
Another incident occurred at the Hyatt Centric Resort, where a man recounted meeting a woman at El Patio in Wynwood and returning with her to his room.
The next day, upon waking, he noticed his iPhone 17, wallet, and all credit cards were gone.
Losses extended beyond material items: unauthorized transactions totaling $34,000 were discovered from his accounts, including transfers via Zelle, Venmo, Cash App, and even from his Coinbase cryptocurrency account.
“The victim reported experiencing a severe blackout and losing consciousness,” the police report detailed.
December 12-13 – Sugar and InterContinental Hotel
In this case, the victim met Tavano on December 12 at the Sugar club, and brought her to the InterContinental Hotel in downtown Miami. After drinking with her in the room, he began feeling unwell and passed out.
Upon waking on the morning of December 13, he noticed his $38,000 gold Rolex Day-Date and $1,500 in cash were missing. The watch's serial number allowed it to be traced, as it had been pawned. The detective on the case reviewed security footage and immediately recognized Tavano, who had been investigated previously for a similar pattern.
“I instantly recognized the woman as Sarah Tavano, previously investigated in two cases with an identical modus operandi,” the officer wrote in his report.
Arrest and Admission
Tavano was apprehended on January 18, 2026, when Sugar nightclub's security staff alerted police to her presence.
During her arrest, officers found:
- A bag with white powder, presumably cocaine
- A plastic cup with four pills
- A green Jägermeister bottle with a cloudy liquid and powder residue
The woman admitted the bottle contained MDMA and confessed to stealing clothing, bags, and suitcases in at least one incident.
Charges and Legal Proceedings
Sarah Tavano faces ten charges across four separate cases:
- October 26: Burglary of an occupied residence; Second-degree grand theft; Total bond: $12,500.
- December 11: Organized fraud; Third-degree grand theft; Bond: $12,500.
- December 13: Armed robbery; Organized fraud; Second-degree grand theft; Bond: $25,000.
- January 18 (day of arrest): Food or water intoxication; Cocaine possession; Possession of a controlled substance; Bond: $5,000.
The total bond set is $55,000, and the court has ordered that she must prove the funds used to cover this amount are not derived from criminal activities. The judicial process is overseen by Judge Michelle Delancy of the Miami-Dade County circuit.
Authorities do not rule out the possibility of more unidentified victims and are urging anyone who recognizes the accused or has had similar experiences to contact the police.
Details on the Miami Crime Spree
How did Sarah Tavano choose her victims?
Sarah Tavano targeted men at high-profile bars and clubs in Miami, where she initiated conversations and convinced them to invite her to their hotel rooms or apartments.
What substances did Tavano allegedly use on her victims?
Tavano reportedly used a combination of suspicious liquids, pills, and a white powdery substance, which she claimed included MDMA, to incapacitate her victims.
What was the total value of the items stolen by Tavano?
The stolen items, including luxury watches, designer bags, and jewelry, were valued at tens of thousands of dollars, with one incident alone involving goods worth over $50,000.
What legal actions have been taken against Tavano?
Sarah Tavano has been charged with ten counts across four incidents, including grand theft, organized fraud, and drug possession, with a total bond set at $55,000.