CUTLER BAY, Fla. – Miami-Dade police arrested three teenagers in connection with a robbery and beating that occurred at a McDonald’s in Cutler Bay. Charges, however, were dropped against one of the teens who was there, per the victim’s request, according to authorities.
The incident occurred around 1:40 a.m. March 7 at the McDonald’s at 20315 Old Cutler Road.
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According to a police flyer, the teens had a verbal dispute with the victim, who was riding in golf cart with some other people in the drive-through area.
According to their arrest report, the teens thought the group was taking too long to order their food and began heckling and harassing them.
Police said Chelsea Ann Beattie, 16, who was driving a Nissan Altima with three other teens inside, pulled out of the line and parked her car at an angle in front of the golf cart.
Authorities said the group got out and Beattie recorded on her cellphone as the group continued to harass the people in the golf cart. The video was then posted to social media.
According to the arrest reports, a 15-year-old girl and another girl who remains at large repeatedly punched the victim in the face and head.
Police said the 15-year-old snatched the victim’s gold chain from around her neck and the other girl who was hitting her pried the victim’s cellphone from out of her hand.
Beattie, the 15-year-old girl and an 18-year-old woman were arrested Tuesday in connection with the incident. The 18-year-old was released from police custody after the victim told authorities that she did not want to press charges against her.
Beattie’s attorney, Andre A. Rouviere, released the following statement to Local 10 News Thursday: “We have reviewed the video that purports to show the incident. Clearly, there is nothing in the video or the allegations that support the charging of my client with a crime. She maintains her innocence and we will fight the unsupported charges in court.”
Police are still searching for the final suspect, identified only as Valerie. Officers said she also goes by the nickname “Shaky” and is believed to be between the ages of 15 and 18.
Police said Valerie is about 5 feet, 3 inches tall and weighs about 110 pounds. She has long black hair and brown eyes.
Anyone with information about her whereabouts is asked to call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-8477. A reward of up to $1,000 is being offered for information that leads to her arrest.
Correction: An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated that the victim was a McDonald’s employee. The victim was, in fact, a customer.