Miami, FL
Man took woman’s purse at gunpoint outside Miami hotel, then got gas on her dime, cops say
MIAMI – “Let it go, b—-.”
Those were the words Miami police said a 33-year-old woman heard as a man ran up to her, aimed a gun and snatched her purse as she walked in a parking lot in February.
Police said the accused robber was arrested a few days later following a pursuit and car crash in Broward County after cops spotted him in a McDonald’s drive-thru. He was brought south to Miami-Dade on Tuesday to face two charges.
D Cedrick Sconyers, 26, of Fort Lauderdale, targeted the woman on Feb. 12 as she was outside the Up Midtown Hotel at 3530 Biscayne Blvd., according to an arrest warrant from the Miami Police Department.
The warrant states the woman “feared for her life” as she surrendered the purse. A bystander heard her screams and tried to help but was then “struck in the back of the head” as he walked towards her, police said.
Police said Sconyers got into an awaiting black sedan and took off.
She received a fraud alert on her cellphone sometime afterward stating that her card was used at the Wawa at 13 S. State Road 7 in Plantation. CCTV footage, police said, showed Sconyers and two other unidentified people getting out of a 2018 Honda Accord at the gas station. Sconyers used her card to purchase gas, authorities said.
Authorities said license plate reader data identified the exact vehicle involved and on Feb. 18, it hit in Fort Lauderdale.
Officers from the Fort Lauderdale Police Department spotted Sconyers in the drive-thru of the McDonald’s at 2300 W. Sunrise Blvd. just after 10 p.m. that night, an FLPD arrest report states.
Authorities said they tried to immobilize the vehicle before he left the restaurant, but he noticed police, reversed over a median and took off.
Police said they attempted a PIT maneuver near I-95 but Sconyers corrected and drove into oncoming traffic, crashing soon after.
The FLPD arrest report states that Sconyers then got out of the sedan and ran towards a silver Ford Mustang in traffic and pulled on the door handle “in a blatant attempt to forcefully enter the vehicle.”
Police said he was unsuccessful and ran into traffic before officers caught up to him and took him into custody on Broward charges of aggravated fleeing and eluding and resisting arrest. He was taken to Broward Health Medical Center for treatment after the crash.
An MPD detective drove north to the hospital to question him, where he made a statement redacted from the arrest warrant.
Sconyers now faces charges of armed robbery and credit card fraud in Miami-Dade.
As of Wednesday afternoon, he was being held without bond in the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center, jail records show.
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Miami, FL
Sweetwater police arrest man in counterfeit bust at Dolphin Mall
Sweetwater police announced an arrest at Dolphin Mall ahead of the holiday shopping season.
Officers arrested 24-year-old Luis Merchan-Meron on two felony counts related to counterfeit goods. Investigators said they seized more than 150 items worth thousands of dollars from the back of his truck.
According to court documents, an undercover officer spotted a transaction in the mall parking lot from about 10 feet away.
Police moved in after witnessing someone allegedly buying designer bags from Merchan-Meron.
Operation Safe Holidays ramps up security
Sweetwater Assistant Police Chief Frank Fernandez said the department has increased security at the mall with uniformed and undercover officers as part of the city’s “Operation Safe Holidays” program.
“We have eyes, we have drones, we have motorcycles, we have uniforms, we have plain clothes. You can’t get away from us now,” Fernandez said.
Mayor stresses zero tolerance for fakes
Mayor Jose “Pepe” Diaz said the city has zero tolerance for counterfeit sales and has invested heavily in protecting shoppers.
“It’s all here to make sure that we protect those citizens that are coming here to make the purchase,” Diaz said. “Have a good time with your families, but there’s people that try to do illicit things like selling fake merchandise.”
Court records detail alleged profit margins
Court records show Merchan-Meron told police he buys the goods for about $8 each and sells them for up to $60. He said he does not know the supplier, only that the items are shipped from overseas.
Miami, FL
Antonio Brown wants Miami attempted murder charge dropped under ‘Stand Your Ground’
Former NFL star Antonio Brown is seeking to have his attempted murder charge from a Miami shooting dismissed under Florida’s “Stand Your Ground” law, court records show.
Attorneys for Brown on Thursday filed a motion to dismiss his case in Miami-Dade, saying the shooting was legally justified under the 2005 law.
Brown, 37, has pleaded not guilty to the second-degree attempted murder charge, which carries a potential 15-year prison sentence and a fine up to $10,000 if he is convicted.
Miami-Dade Corrections
Miami-Dade Corrections Antonio Brown
According to an arrest warrant, Brown is accused of grabbing a handgun from a security staffer after a celebrity boxing match in Miami on May 16 and firing two shots at a man he had gotten into a fistfight with earlier.
The victim alleged, Zul-Qarnain Kwame Nantambu, told investigators that one of the bullets grazed his neck.
Brown’s attorney said that the affidavit is mistaken and that Brown actually used his personal firearm, and that the shots were not aimed at anyone.
The motion filed Thursday said Nantambu is a convicted felon and mentions his arrest in February after police said he disrupted Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl halftime show by waving a Sudanese flag bearing the message “Sudan and Free Gaza.”
Nantambu also allegedly attacked Brown backstage at a 2023 Rolling Loud music festival concert, and was allegedly jailed in Dubai in 2022 for stealing Brown’s jewelry, the motion said.
The motion also claimed Nantambu had publicly issued threats at Brown including stating “your days are numbered.”
The motion claims Nantambu knew Brown was at the boxing event because Brown had been livestreaming, and said Nantambu waited outside the event for an opportunity to confront Brown.
As Brown exited, he spotted Nantambu quickly approaching him and saw him “tucking his chain inside his shirt,” the motion said.
He attacked Brown, who suffered injuries to his eye, knee and hands as others joined in the assault and Brown became in fear for his life, the motion said.
“Fearing additional violence and believing he may encounter Nantambu again while attempting to reach his vehicle, Brown retrieved his concealed firearm, for which he lawfully possessed a permit,” the motion said.
Brown ran to his car but again encountered Nantambu, who he fear was armed and “made an aggressive movement towards him,” the motion said.
“In that moment, Brown again reasonably feared death or great bodily harm. In response, he fired two warning shots, intentionally aiming away from Nantambu to ensure he would not be struck,” the motion said. “Brown hoped the warning shots would deter Nantambu’s aggression, allowing Brown to safely reach his vehicle and leave the scene.”
The motion claimed there was a struggle and Nantambu took Brown’s gun then fled the scene with the weapon, while Brown stayed at the scene and complied with law enforcement.
Brown was not immediately arrested that night because initially police did not identify Nantambu as a victim. It wasn’t until May 21 that Nantambu gave a full statement about the incident to police and identified Brown as the shooter, the affidavit says.
“Cellphone video obtained from social media showed Mr. Brown with the firearm in his hand advancing toward Mr. Nantambu on the outside walk. The video captures two shots which occur as Mr. Brown is within several feet of Mr. Nantambu,” the arrest affidavit said. “The video also captures Mr. Nantambu ducking after the first shot is heard.”
In video posted on Only in Dade, Brown was seen an altercation with several individuals. At one point, he was seen running and a gunshot was heard.
Brown has said on social media that he was defending himself from an attack and that others were trying to steal jewelry from him.
The motion said Brown’s use of force was “fully justified” under ‘Stand Your Ground.”
“Brown reasonably believed that the alleged victim intended to cause him serious harm. Moments earlier, he had been physically attacked by an attention-seeking convicted fraudster with a documented history of violence toward Brown, as well as toward others, including law enforcement. Even the sight of Brown’s firearm did not deter the alleged victim’s aggression,” the motion reads. “Nantambu remained intent on harming him. Under these circumstances, Brown had every legal right to defend himself.”
Brown was extradited last month from Dubai, where he has business interests, after an arrest warrant on the attempted murder charge was issued in June.
He was released on a $25,000 bond and must wear an ankle monitor.
A prosecutor said Brown could face up to 30 years in prison if convicted.
Brown spent 12 years in the NFL and was an All-Pro wide receiver who last played in 2021 for Tampa Bay, including a Super Bowl championship with quarterback Tom Brady. He spent much of his career with Pittsburgh. For his career, Brown had 928 receptions for more than 12,000 yards and accounted for 88 total touchdowns, counting punt returns and one pass.
Miami, FL
Global artists showcase their work in Wynwood for Miami Art Week
The biggest week of the year is here: Miami Art Week.
Artists from all over the world have flocked to the city to showcase their work. Many artists say it’s a dream come true to have their works on display.
Miami Art Week is unique in its own way, where you are surrounded by art in every way.
“I’m hoping it could help me become more of a full-time artist,” said Matt ‘”Rosey” Rosebrough, an artist from Indiana.
Rosebrough, who goes by his artist name Rosey, is one of the many talents showcased in the Miami Art Week gallery in Wynwood.
Rosey was chosen to paint an outside mural on the gallery.
He says that after struggling with his mental health, creating art saved his life.
“I’ve just been trying to share my story. Sharing my struggles and how art has helped me through that. And Sharon that message with other people,” said Rosey.
Another artist spotlighted in the gallery is Elisa Neumann, who traveled from the south of Chile.
Neumann says Chile is her inspiration for unique art that consists of wax and ink.
“I’m very inspired by flowers. I come from a little town in the south of Chile. Me and my parents were born on a small farm, and that’s what inspired my art,” said Neumann.
The gallery displays Art in every form, like photography, penny sculptures and paintings.
Meredith Aziz, the president of Miami Art Week said the growth each year speaks to the city becoming an art destination.
“I just think it’s such a unique time of year where the world comes together all in Miami. We have 20 international artists here alone. And all over the US,” said Aziz.
An experience both artists say is out of this world.
“I was very surprised how much art is all over the place,” said Rosey.
“I’m living my dreams, so I’m very excited about this,” said Neumann.
Miami Art Week continues through Sunday.
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