Two individuals have been arrested and charged in connection with a substantial theft in Miami Beach, where a Gainesville man was allegedly robbed of $200,000 in jewelry and $3,000 in cash. The incident unfolded over the course of a weekend that began with an Instagram connection, leading to an in-person meeting at the Monte Carlo Miami Beach, as Local 10 reported.
According to authorities, Akkura Stover, 21, of Goldsboro, North Carolina, engaged in an online rapport with the victim before the meeting on Dec. 9. After spending the weekend at the hotel, located at 6551 Collins Avenue, Stover allegedly produced a firearm, robbing the man before fleeing the hotel in a rideshare vehicle. Meeting after the getaway with Deshawn Montell Casey, 30, the rideshare driver was able to identify Stover to the police, dropping her off near 36th Street and Biscayne Boulevard, where fleeing from the hotel, surveillance video showed Stover leaving with the stolen items, according to WSVN.
Following the robbery, the victim allegedly received intimidating messages from Casey, pressing him to buy back his own stolen jewelry, as per the investigators. This extortion attempt added to the charges against the accused. Both Stover and Casey were identified by the victim, who cooperated with authorities to secure the arrests. Video evidence also reportedly placed Stover and Casey together in a vehicle on multiple occasions after the robbery, which added to the incriminating evidence.
Miami Beach police confirm that Stover and Casey are being held at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center. Stover is denied bond on a charge of armed robbery with a deadly weapon. Casey's bond is set at $15,000, and he faces an additional extortion charge. A Nebbia hearing is required to confirm the source of Casey's bond money, ensuring it’s not from illegal sources. The arrest report also mentions that Casey attempted to contact the victim after the robbery.
