This type of robbery is becoming very common—and sadly, Latinos are heavily involved…
We are hearing about violent robberies with increasing frequency.
This is something that was not typically seen in the past, at least not in South Florida, but is now being observed more often.
It is disheartening to see how most Americans now associate crime with the recent rise in migration.
This is striking because it contradicts years of research on what has actually happened following the arrival of immigrants in U.S. communities.
Many researchers have concluded that there is no link between immigration and crime. Some have even found that immigrants are less likely to commit crimes than those born in the United States.
Unfortunately, we are seeing this change recently, and robberies and thefts committed by immigrants are being observed more frequently.
Such is the case of a recent robbery in Palm City, where two men were arrested following a violent incident that began in Palm City and ended on Interstate 95.
The victim in this case left the Bank of America in Palm City after completing a banking transaction.
As he drove away, he noticed that his vehicle’s tire pressure was dropping. Unaware that his tires had been slashed, he drove to a WAWA in Stuart to add air.
While doing so, one of the suspects, Adrián Felipe Pérez-Rocha, 39, who told officers he is from Colombia, entered his vehicle and stole the bank envelope, his bag, and his cell phone.
He ran back to a vehicle where, accompanied by another suspect, they fled.
Bryam Cárdenas-Moreno, 27, who is also from Colombia but provided an address outside Chicago, was sitting in the driver’s seat.
When the victim attempted to retrieve his bag, she was violently shoved to the ground. The suspects fled and headed north on I-95.
Officer Ronnie Manganiello of the Martin County Sheriff’s Office was able to locate the suspect vehicle and perform a felony traffic stop. Both men were arrested.
Inside the suspects’ car were the victim’s money and other belongings, a window punch, gloves, a black hat and a ski mask, and a zippered bag containing cash.
THIS IS A VERY POPULAR VIOLENT TREND IN LATIN AMERICAN COUNTRIES THAT WE WANT EVERYONE TO BE AWARE OF.
This method of operation is often used by a group of South American thieves who have infiltrated the United States and have been recruiting criminal accomplices across the country.
They have no respect for life or property.
That is why we urge the entire community to exercise extreme caution when using banking services.
- If you enter a bank, do not display bags or envelopes when leaving.
- When leaving the bank parking lot, lock your car doors, watch for anyone following you, and stay alert.
- If you notice a sudden loss of tire pressure after leaving a bank, call 911 and inform dispatchers that you are concerned about this situation.
- Continue driving, if possible, until an officer intercepts you at your location.
- *IF A CAR HITS OR BUMPS INTO YOU, CALL 911.
- EXPLAIN YOUR SITUATION AND WAIT FOR INSTRUCTIONS.
- DO NOT EXIT YOUR VEHICLE UNTIL AN OFFICER ARRIVES.
Adrián Felipe Pérez-Rocha was arrested and charged with multiple offenses, including strong-arm robbery, tampering with evidence, and grand theft.
The charges were enhanced because the crimes committed fell under the traveling criminal statute. Immigration services were notified.
Bryam Cárdenas-Moreno was also arrested and charged with fleeing and eluding. Stuart Police are considering additional charges.
Image: Law
