Cuban arrested for using an ax to steal $7,000 from a Hialeah cafe – 2024-05-06 20:58:07

Miami-Dade County authorities arrested a man of Cuban origin accused of having used an ax to violently steal thousands of dollars from several gaming machines at a restaurant in the city of Hialeah.

According to local media América TeVé, the detainee was identified as Otniel Rodríguez, 40 years old, who was captured by the security cameras of a cafe in the aforementioned town during the night of Tuesday, April 30.

The police report indicates that Rodríguez used the ax to break several gaming machines at the Rainbow Café, located on West 19th Street.

Security videos show that another person in the cafe used a chair to try to stop the Cuban, but he continued using the ax to steal the rest of the machines.

After this, the subject was seen fleeing the scene with approximately $7,000 (USSD) in cash.

Workers at the site contacted authorities, who began an investigation. After a brief search, the subject was identified and detained by the Hialeah City Police Department.

Other local media indicate that Rodríguez would have used a wig, a hat and a mask to try to hide his identity, but this did not work and he is now behind bars.

The Cuban appeared in court this Wednesday, May 1, where he was charged with armed robbery, property damage, grand theft and criminal conduct.

Authorities noted that this is not the first offense related to gaming machines that Rodríguez has committed, as he was accused of using a hammer to damage three of these devices at a gas station in Hialeah in late February.

“The business owners are very grateful to the Hialeah Police Department for their quick response, investigation and arrest of the suspect,” the Rainbow Café said in a brief statement shared on social media.