MIAMI – Miami-Dade County’s police director said that the attack of an elderly man Sunday on a Metromover was not related to Metromover beatings from earlier this month, but that measures must be taken to keep transit riders safe.
“The recent brutal attacks on our Metrorail/Metromover system, although unrelated, are deeply concerning,” Alfredo “Freddy” Ramirez said in a statement Monday afternoon. "While I’m relieved that the first case resulted in arrest, we still need to identify the attacker in the second case. ...
“I’ve also spoken to Chief Jorge Colina of the Miami Police Department and we are both committed to working together, not only to catch the subject of this callous crime, but to help keep our transit customers safe.”
Police released a flyer showing two images of a subject sought in Sunday’s attack. He’s described as a Black man about 45-55 years old, standing about 6-feet, 180 pounds.
Eduardo Fernandez, 73, was on his way to work as a parking valet around 6 a.m. Sunday when he was attacked after he boarded the Metromover at Government Center on the short trip to the Omni terminal near the Adrienne Arsht Center, his son Christian said.
He suffered several broken bones and internal bleeding. Fernandez is scheduled for surgery Wednesday and is expected to remain in the hospital for at least two weeks.
A GoFundMe page was created for Fernandez, which can be found by clicking here.
Police say the attack was unprovoked and that it involved repeated punches and kicks.
On Sept. 4, a woman was punched and kicked after boarding the Metromover in Brickell. That beating was caught on video from inside the train. In that case, Joshua King, 25, was arrested and accused of attacking three people on the Metromover on the same day.
King has since been released on bond. Police say he is not a suspect in Sunday’s incident.
“We’re horrified about these incidents,” said Alice Bravo, the director of Miami-Dade Transit. “We’re increasing the number of security personnel that’s both at stations and roving the system. And we’re working with the county and the city police.”
Colina and City of Miami Mayor Francis Suarez said they will help add patrol to the Metrorail/Metromover system within their jurisdiction.
“We will help them and provide resources, undercover and in uniform, to aid them and supplant the security that we’re seeing in the Metromover station,” Suarez said.
If you have any information, you are urged to contact Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-8477.