MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. – Police arrested two teenagers Monday in connection with an armed robbery and shooting that they said left a Miami-Dade tattoo artist in critical condition last week.
According to police, two employees of the Eazy Street Tattoos, located at 13433 SW 56th St. in the Miller Shops of county’s Kendale Lakes area, were taking a break at the back of the business when they were ambushed by two armed men on Thursday night.
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Eazy Street Tattoos employee Cesar Sanchez, who spoke with Local 10′s Roy Ramos from his hospital bed on Friday, said he was shot in the back while being robbed by a former client and another culprit who returned to the shop under the guise of finishing a tattoo session.
Miami-Dade police identified those men Tuesday as Elijah Young and Nathaniel Sweeting, both 18.
Police said at some point during the tattoo session, both Young and Sweeting, along with Sanchez and the other store employee went to the back of the business for a smoke break.
An arrest report states as Sanchez was heading back inside the tattoo shop, both Young and Sweeting pulled out guns and pointed them at the victims, demanding their property.
Authorities said Sanchez did not comply and tried to enter the business for safety but was shot by one of the two suspects.
Authorities said moments after the shooting occurred, both Young and Sweeting “forcibly removed” various pieces of jewelry and car keys from Sanchez before fleeing the scene in his vehicle.
Police said Sanchez’s co-worker was able to flee the scene without getting hurt.
“I get told a lot that I wear a lot of jewelry; you have to be careful,” Sanchez told Local 10 News on Friday. “I never thought something like this would happen.”
Despite his efforts to fend off the attackers, Sanchez said he was shot as he ran back into the shop.
“I took three steps into the tattoo shop and the other guy just shot me,” Sanchez said. “I guess he panicked because he didn’t expect me to fight back.”
Authorities confirmed Sanchez was rushed to HCA Florida Kendall Hospital for treatment where he was listed in critical then stable condition.
Detectives discovered that the culprits not only shot Sanchez but also stole valuable items, including a $30,000 Rolex, a $20,000 Cuban link chain and two bracelets. The robbers then fled in Sanchez’s car, authorities said.
Police said the other employee was unharmed while Sanchez shared his disbelief with Ramos over the situation.
“He is one of my clients. He robbed me for no reason. I never did harm to him,” Sanchez said. “I can’t understand why someone I trusted would do this.”
Jail records show both Young and Sweeting are facing one count each of attempted felony murder, armed robbery with a deadly weapon, carjacking during an armed robbery and carrying a concealed firearm without a license.
The arrest report for Young and Sweeting did not disclose which of them was Sanchez’s client.
As of Tuesday, both suspects are without bond at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center.