On Wednesday, three men were taken into custody at the Doral Police Station after being identified as the suspected attackers in an assault and attempted robbery that took place in the early hours of Sunday, June 28, at the Pink Pony nightclub located in northwest Doral, Florida, as reported by Local 10.
The individuals arrested are Manuel Antonio Barrios, aged 25; Yoan E. Guzman Bango, aged 33; and Sadien Alexis Mena Cove, aged 34. They face charges of attempted robbery with physical force and assault.
According to the arrest report, the victim, a 23-year-old man who stayed behind at the club to settle his bill, was approached by Mena Cove, who invited him to the men's restroom under the guise of having a conversation.
Once inside, Guzman Bango allegedly pushed the young man into a stall where three to four individuals awaited, proceeding to assault him by knocking him down and kicking him.
Their aim was to snatch a 10-carat, 2,000-gram diamond necklace worth approximately $240,000.
A police report noted that while the victim was on the floor, he overheard one of the attackers say "La cadena" in Spanish, referring to the diamond necklace.
The nightclub's security personnel intervened, forcing everyone out of the restroom, but the attack continued outside.
Outside the club, Guzman Bango and Barrios attempted once more to seize the necklace, but were unsuccessful.
The victim managed to flee with his necklace, although he suffered multiple bruises and cuts on his face, neck, shoulders, and arms, as well as neck injuries consistent with the necklace being yanked, according to NBC Miami.
A detective reviewed surveillance footage from the club, which showed Mena and Barrios grabbing and pulling on the victim's necklace, leading to the identification and arrest of the three suspects at 9:15 p.m. on Wednesday.
All three were booked into the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center shortly after 2:25 a.m. on Thursday.
Several local media outlets, including América Tevé, identified the arrestees as Cuban nationals, a detail that also circulated on social media. However, neither the arrest reports nor the authorities have officially confirmed the nationality of those involved.
This incident is part of a series of violent high-value jewelry thefts occurring in the Miami-Dade area in recent years.
In March, police captured the assailants involved in the violent robbery of Cuban jeweler York Valdés at his home, and in April, another suspect was arrested for a $100,000 jewelry theft in a Miami-Dade residence.
Barrios, Guzman Bango, and Mena Cove remain in custody awaiting further legal proceedings.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Doral Robbery Case
What led to the arrest of the suspects in the Doral robbery case?
Surveillance footage showed the suspects grabbing and pulling the victim's necklace, allowing police to identify and arrest them.
What charges are the suspects facing?
The suspects are charged with attempted robbery with physical force and assault.
Have the authorities confirmed the nationality of the suspects?
No, the authorities have not officially confirmed the nationality of the suspects, although local media and social media suggest they are Cuban.