MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. – A surveillance video provided clues about a dating app connection that recently turned into a frightening armed robbery at a hotel in Miami Springs, according to police.
The victim reported he was walking on Friday night on the 100th block of Fairway Drive when he recognized Sergio Morales II from his profile on Grindr, a popular dating app, according to a police report.
The victim reported Morales was driving a black Nissan Sentra when he took him to his hotel at the Parkway Inn, at 777 Curtiss Parkway, in Miami Springs, according to the police arrest report.
The victim reported that when Morales said he really needed money he agreed to give him $20, but Morales wanted more, so he placed his hand in a fanny bag and said, “Don’t make this complicated!
“I will kill you!”
There was a struggle and Morales pulled out a gun and pointed it at the victim’s head, ordered him to get on his knees, and robbed him of $400 in cash and an iPhone, according to police.
A Miami detective found Morales -- who was on probation and armed -- driving the same car on Sunday near Northwest 54 Street and 11 Avenue and arrested him, records show.
Miami-Dade County inmate records showed correctional deputies booked Morales shortly before 2 a.m., on Monday at the Turner Guilford Correctional Center.
Morales faced five charges in two pending cases filed on Monday in Miami-Dade County.
In the Miami Springs case, Morales faced charges of burglary with assault or battery while armed, armed robbery, and armed grand theft.
In a Miami case, Morales faced a charge of possession of a controlled substance case after police officers seized oxycodone, records show.
Morales also had a probation warrant on two counts of possession of a short-barrel gun, rifle, machine gun; carrying a concealed firearm; and resisting arrest.
The court set his arraignment hearing for 9 a.m., on June 23. Miami-Dade County Circuit Judge Lody Jean is set to preside over the case.
Detectives asked anyone with information about this or other cases to call Miami-Dade County Crime Stoppers at 305-471-8477 to remain anonymous.