What started as a friendly hello to a boat captain at a Miami marina turned into a late-night stickup, according to police.
Three men who police say were traveling on a yacht were arrested after allegedly robbing two people of nearly $10,000 in cash at Regal Marina in Miami's Grapeland Heights just after midnight on Tuesday. Investigators say the victims walked up to a yacht to greet its captain when three men stepped off the vessel, surrounded them, and grabbed their bags, cash, and phones. Surveillance cameras and a quick-thinking marina employee who called police helped officers track the suspects down a short time later.
What Police Say Happened On The Dock
Miami police identified the suspects as 40-year-old Diego Murillo and 28-year-old Shakeel Singleton, both of New York City, along with 29-year-old Edwin Vargas of Atlanta. According to authorities, the trio made off with $9,776 in cash, both victims' iPhones, and other personal property before running toward the marina entrance. Investigators say surveillance footage captured the robbery.
The men were booked on strong-armed robbery charges and were being held at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center on $10,000 bond each, according to Local 10.
Marina Thefts Keep Plaguing Miami's Waterfront
Crimes targeting boats and marinas in Miami have become a familiar headache for boaters and business owners alike. From stolen GPS units and stripped electronics to quick snatch-and-grab thefts, reports of break-ins and ripoffs have popped up across the waterfront in recent months. Local reporting and police investigations have documented multiple boat and marina burglaries in the area, highlighting the ongoing risk to both property owners and small-business operators, as reported by WSVN.
Video And Staff Helped Seal The Bust, Police Say
Investigators say the surveillance footage clearly shows the three men carrying out the robbery and that a marina employee helped the shaken victims get in touch with officers right away. The suspects remained in custody as of Wednesday afternoon and face strong-armed robbery charges; Miami police had not released information about upcoming court dates, per Local 10.
In the wake of this and other incidents, marina managers and boat owners are again being urged to bolt down electronics, keep serial numbers on file, and report any thefts as quickly as possible. Anyone with information about this case is asked to contact Miami Police.
