Just the other day, Miami-Dade County experienced its second home invasion robbery perpetrated by a group of people dressed as police officers.
The first incident occurred in Hialeah where a group of individuals dressed in tactical vests bearing police insignia knocked on the door of a home.
Since the purpose of dressing up as police officers in order to carry out a home invasion is easy access, the homeowner answered the door without reservation.
Once that door was opened, the suspected armed robbers stormed into the home and used flexcuffs to restrain the occupants while they robbed the home of cash and jewelry.
In the most recent robbery of this sort, the police impersonators again dressed up in tactical gear and knocked on the door. An occupant opened the door and the robbers stormed inside. This time, they left the house with $60,000 in cash.
Now here’s the thing about home invasion robbery. It is seldom a random crime due to the great risk involved. As you can see with the second robbery, the suspects were able to get $60,000 in cash from inside of the home. You and I both know that it is extremely rare for people to keep that much cash lying around their homes. Which is why the robbers probably knew the occupants kept that much cash in the house and targeted the home.
These two crimes occurred on June 29, and then on July 6. West Miami Police and Hialeah Police are looking to see if the crimes could be related.
Home invasion robbery with a firearm is a felony punishable by life. It is a non-bondable offense. In addition, falsely impersonating a police officer is a third-degree felony punishable by up to 5 years in state prison.
Miami and Broward criminal defense attorney Eric Matheny represents clients charged with home invasion robbery in Miami-Dade and Broward.