Two men are behind bars in Miami-Dade County after investigators say they stalked bank customers as they left with cash, then robbed them. One victim, an elderly man targeted in late March, ended up in the hospital with a serious head wound and other injuries, according to authorities.
What Investigators Say Happened
Investigators identified the suspects as 29-year-old Kishawn Zell Walker Perkins and 26-year-old Armon Christopher Jiles. They say the first incident unfolded on February 13 at a Chase branch in the Miami Gardens area, and a second, more violent attack took place on March 27 in the Dadeland area.
Jail records list one count each of burglary of an unoccupied conveyance in connection with the February incident, and charges of armed robbery with a weapon plus aggravated battery on an elderly person for the March case. Both men are being held at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center. Jiles is being held without bond and Walker Perkins’ bond has not been set, according to Local 10.
Deputies said the March victim suffered a head laceration and abrasions and was hospitalized after the attack.
Charges and How Florida Law Treats Them
The charges the men face are not created equal under state law. The alleged attack on an older adult is treated more severely than many other assaults, and burglary of an unoccupied vehicle carries its own felony status.
Under Florida law, an aggravated battery on a person 65 or older is reclassified and treated as a first-degree felony with a mandatory minimum prison term and potential fines, according to Florida Statutes Section 784.08. The elements and degrees of burglary, including burglary of an unoccupied conveyance, are outlined in the state’s burglary code at Florida Statutes Section 810.02.
How Detectives Say They Tracked the Pair
Detectives say they connected the two incidents using a mix of old-fashioned legwork and digital breadcrumbs. According to investigators, surveillance video, distinctive features on the suspects’ vehicle and its license plate, along with cellphone records, all helped tie the cases together.
Deputies also reported that, in the days following the March robbery, they observed the pair visiting multiple bank branches. Both men were arrested and taken to the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office Robbery Bureau. Deputies say the suspects invoked their rights during questioning, per Local 10. Authorities have not said how much, if any, cash was taken in either case.
Staying Safe and How to Share Tips
Bank and consumer-security experts warn that older customers are often prime targets for financial crimes, especially when they are carrying visible cash. They encourage customers to avoid flashing money, use inside teller lanes instead of drive-thrus when possible, and ask bank staff for help if they feel uneasy transporting large withdrawals.
Chase’s security center notes the heightened risk of financial abuse for older adults and offers tools and tips to spot suspicious behavior and protect accounts, according to Chase.
Anyone with information about these incidents is urged to contact Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at (305) 471-TIPS or submit a tip online via Crime Stoppers Miami.
