MIAMI BEACH, Fla. – Miami Beach detectives arrested two men who they said robbed multiple people while posing as rideshare drivers in the city’s Entertainment District.
Fevry Gentillon, 43, and Kebert Jean, 56, were arrested Thursday on numerous charges, including armed robbery with a firearm, strong-arm robbery, kidnapping, attempted kidnapping, organized scheme to defraud, identity theft, unlawful possession of a credit or debit card, fraudulent use of a credit card and grand theft in the third degree.
“These guys were extremely brazen and dangerous,” Miami Beach police Officer Christopher Bess said.
According to police, Gentillon and Jean would target people who were inebriated.
“The suspects, masquerading as rideshare drivers, targeted unsuspecting victims and perpetrated multiple robberies – occasionally employing a firearm to carry out the offenses,” the police department said in a news release.
“These defendants were actually cab drivers by trade, and during the commission of the crimes posed as rideshare drivers,” Bess said.
Police detailed the men’s sinister MO as they prowled for victims near various nightclubs.
“The way that their organized crime scheme would go is one would be in the actual cab. When an intoxicated individual would approach the driver, they would deny them service and tip off the other driver who was in an unmarked vehicle. That driver would then lure the intoxicated victim inside of his vehicle,” Bess explained.
Police said that’s when they would drive off to another spot and proceed to rob the victims -- sometimes at gunpoint. They would then go on to use the victims’ credit and debit cards, according to authorities.
“They preyed on vulnerable, intoxicated victims,” Bess said.
Police said the robberies were investigated by MBPD’s Robbery Unit and detectives were able to identify Gentillon and Jean as the perpetrators.
“We regard incidents of this nature with utmost seriousness and are committed to diligently pursuing accountability for those responsible,” Police Chief Wayne Jones said in a statement. “Our primary focus is to ensure the safety of Miami Beach.”
Anyone with additional information or who believes they may have fallen victim to these suspects are urged to contact the Miami Beach Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division at 305-673-7945.