Home Invasion Suspect Orders Brothers to Throw Phones in Pool

MIAMI BEACH — Police are looking for a home invasion suspect who pointed a handgun at two brothers on Thursday and demanded cash and jewelry before throwing their cell phones into a swimming pool.

The suspect is described as a black male, 20 to 30 years of age, approximately 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighing 180 pounds. He was last seen wearing a black long-sleeved shirt with black pants, Miami Beach police said.

The incident occurred at 5:40 p.m. in the 2900 block of Flamingo Drive, according to police, who said that 27-year-old Simon Chertman opened a rear French door and was confronted by the suspect. The man, who was wearing a green dust mask, told him that he only wanted money and jewelry and did not plan to hurt anyone.

"We have dedicated many resources to this case and are working diligently to locate the subject," Ernesto Rodriguez of the Miami Beach Police Department told Patch.

The suspect asked to be brought to a safe in a second-floor master bedroom, where he encountered another family member identified as 22-year-old Willy Chertman.

The suspect fled with a small amount of cash, credit cards and several watches from the bedroom after the victims insisted that they did know the combination to the safe, police said.

The suspect was carrying a black handgun.

Anyone with information is asked to call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305.474.TIPS.