What started as a late-night tab inside Doral's Pink Pony ended with three men in handcuffs and a diamond chain worth roughly $240,000 still hanging from its owner's neck, according to police.
Doral officers say a customer was ambushed inside the nightclub on June 28 by a group trying to rip the massive chain off him. The man clutched his jewelry and curled into a defensive position as he was punched and kicked, suffering bruises, cuts and injuries to his face, shoulders, arms and neck. The suspects left without the chain, but not before racking up felony accusations.
Authorities arrested Sadien Alexis Menacove, 34, Manuel Antonio Barrios, 25, and Yoan E. Guzman Bango, 33. Each faces charges of attempted strong-arm robbery and battery. A judge set bond at $2,500 on the robbery charge and $1,000 on the battery charge for each defendant.
How police say it unfolded
According to WSVN, an arrest affidavit states that Menacove, known to the victim as "Sadien," approached the man as he stayed behind to close out his tab and persuaded him to walk into the men's restroom for a private conversation.
Once inside, detectives say Menacove shoved the victim toward a stall where three to four men were waiting. The group allegedly began repeatedly punching and kicking him while one person yelled "La cadena," Spanish for "the chain," as they tried to yank the 10-karat, 2,000-gram diamond chain from his neck.
Security stepped in and video backed the victim
Club security guards moved in and broke up the attack, then started escorting the injured man toward the exit. On the way out, Barrios and Guzman Bango allegedly grabbed for the chain again before the victim managed to get away and call police.
Surveillance video from inside the club reportedly backed up the victim's story, showing Menacove leading him to the restroom and the co-defendants pulling on the necklace near the exit, according to the affidavit cited by WSVN.
Where it happened
The confrontation took place at Pink Pony in the 7900 block of Northwest 33rd Street in Doral. The club lists its address as 7971 NW 33rd St and advertises VIP bottle service and late-night entertainment. According to Pink Pony, the venue markets itself as a high-capacity nightlife destination in the city.
Jewelry-targeted robberies are a recurring problem
High-end chains have been drawing the wrong kind of attention around Miami this year. Local 10 reported a May arrest after a tourist in Wynwood lost a $12,000 gold chain following a game of chance that turned into a theft.
In January, WSVN covered a case in Miami's Design District where a man was shot and robbed of a chain worth roughly $22,000. Taken together, those cases highlight what investigators describe as an ongoing pattern of local robberies targeting conspicuous jewelry.
Charges and court status
All three Pink Pony suspects have been charged with attempted strong-arm robbery and battery. A judge found probable cause and set bond as noted in court, and the case remains under investigation while prosecutors decide how to proceed with formal filings.
Doral police have asked anyone with additional information or video from the club that night to contact investigators as they continue to assemble evidence. Upcoming hearings and filings are expected to appear on public court calendars as the county clerk processes the case.
