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Man accused of burning victim with blowtorch during Homestead robbery

Maynor Cruz Solis. (Miami-Dade Corrections and Rehabilitation)

HOMESTEAD, Fla. ā€“ A 25-year-old man was arrested Tuesday after police accused him of burning a victim with a blowtorch and then robbing him last month in Homestead.

According to an arrest report from the Homestead Police Department, Maynor Cruz Solis, who is homeless, is facing one count each of armed robbery with a deadly weapon and aggravated battery with great bodily harm.

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It happened around 2 p.m. Feb. 9 in the rear alleyway of the 1200 block of Southwest Second Street.

Police said the victim recounted that Cruz Solis grabbed him from behind and restrained him to large tires in the alleyway, where he and 19-year-old Sebastian Morales attacked him and took various items, including his iPhone 13, from his pockets.

When the victim refused to provide the passcode to unlock his phone, police said Cruz Solis threatened him with a blowtorch lighter, burning his body until he relented and provided the passcode.

After obtaining the passcode, police said Cruz Soliz and Morales fled the area with the victimā€™s green camouflage jacket, iPhone and wallet containing $300.

Police said Morales was located and arrested on Feb. 9, the day of the incident.

An arrest report states the victim contacted the Miami-Dade Police Department after locating Cruz Solis on Tuesday near the intersection of Southwest 296th Street and Southwest 162nd Avenue, in southwest Miami-Dadeā€™s Leisure City area.

Thatā€™s when police said the victim positively identified Cruz Solis as the second subject involved in the armed robbery on Feb. 9.

Detectives said Cruz Solis refused to speak about the incident while being questioned.

Police said the Cruz Solisā€™ cellphone was impounded at the Homestead Police Department for evidence.

As of Wednesday, he is being held at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center, where his bond has not been determined.


About the Author
Ryan Mackey headshot

Ryan Mackey is a Digital Journalist at WPLG. He was born in Long Island, New York, and has lived in Sunrise, Florida since 1994.

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