Robbers Ask for Directions in South Beach But Really Want $160K Worth of Jewelry

MIAMI BEACH, FL — A 36-year-old man told police he was robbed of more than $160,000 worth of jewelry early Tuesday by two men who pulled up beside him asking for directions in a Toyota Camry as the victim walked along a South Beach street.

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One of the men apparently pulled out a black, semi-automatic handgun, according to Miami Beach Police.

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Leonard Lopez of Miami flagged down police officers shortly after 2 a.m. at 15th Street and Washington Avenue not far from several large nightclubs and other businesses that stay open late.

"Mr. Lopez stated that the vehicle pulled up next to him as the passenger asked him if he knew the direction to the Mokai Lounge located in Miami Beach," Ernesto Rodriguez of the Miami Beach Police Department told Patch. "Mr. Lopez gave him the directions but the suspect insisted that he please enter the address on the phone he was holding."

Lopez told police he could see that one of the men was holding the gun when he got closer to the vehicle to try to help them with directions. The suspects approached the victim in a dark-colored newer model Camry as he walked along 15th Street and Drexel Avenue.

"Mr. Lopez approached the vehicle when he realized that the suspect brandished a black semi-automatic handgun, holding it with his left hand," according to Rodriguez. "The suspect grabbed the victim's chain with his right hand and pulled the victim towards the vehicle."

Police said Lopez was forced to turn over his platinum diamond chain worth $100,000, a rose gold Audemars Piguet watch from Switzerland valued at $50,000 and a white gold ring with diamonds worth $10,000. The gold chain had a mix of yellow canary diamonds and white diamonds.

The robbers also took the victim's blue wallet worth about $300 that contained identification and credit cards.

"Mr. Lopez in fear for his life cooperated with the suspects' demands," Rodriguez said.

The suspects fled north on Drexel Avenue from 15th Street.

The passenger was described as an African-American male in his late twenties, with drak dreads and a black beard. He was wearing a black shirt, black pants, and black baseball gloves.

The victim was unable to describe the driver.