AVENTURA, Fla. – A man claims he fought off a trio of would-be armed robbers after police said they targeted him while he withdrew cash from an ATM at a bank in Aventura last week.
In an exclusive interview with Local 10 News, the man, who said he withdrew thousands of dollars from an ATM at a TD Bank in Aventura, claims he was followed in his car by the trio to Sunny Isles Beach on Dec. 22.
“They were holding the door they tried to open it with one hand,” the man said. “People need to be careful. You never know what’s going to happen.”
The victim told Local 10 News that while he was sitting in his car, he then began kicking the armed thieves away as they tried to take his cash.
The man said he eventually left his car behind and ran down Collins Avenue to look for safety.
“I was praying and saying: ‘Please don’t let me feel the bullet,’” he said. “At the moment, it was scary, and I asked God to please help me and he did.”
Authorities said the suspects, who police identified as 21-year-old Dedrick Lawrence and 30-year-old Darmaine Wooden, were eventually taken into custody in Broward County following a separate armed robbery incident that occurred at a TD Bank in northeast Miami-Dade.
Police also confirmed that they are still searching for the third suspect.
According to jail records, both men are facing charges of armed robbery and assault with battery.
As of Wednesday, they are being held without bond at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center.