Arrest Made In Miami-Dade Metromover Attack

MIAMI, FL — An arrest has been made in connection with the random beating of a 73-year-old man on a Metromover train over the weekend in the latest of a series of four attacks that drew outrage from public officials.

Sixty-two-year-old Robert Lee Ribbs, who is homeless, was charged with strongarm robbery, aggravated battery with great bodily harm and battery on a person 65 or older, Miami-Dade police announced Tuesday.

Miami-Dade officials on Monday said they were "appalled" by a series of four random beatings on Metromover passengers in recent weeks in which the 73-year-old man and a young woman were badly injured.

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Miami-Dade Officials 'Appalled' By Attacks On Metro Passengers

"Our number one priority is the safety of our community," Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez said Monday night. "We will not tolerate violence anywhere, especially in our trusted transit system.”

Gimenez said Miami-Dade police and Miami police were working together to share real-time camera footage so they can quickly intervene in the event of any future incidents.

The attacks occurred on Sept. 4 and last Sunday, more than two weeks apart, and police believe they were the work of two different attackers.

Twenty-five-year-old Joshua King of Miami was arrested shortly after the first three attacks on Sept. 4. He was charged with two counts of aggravated battery and one count of battery.

Court documents said the young woman suffered a swollen eye and her ear was torn when her attacker pulled off her earring.

Detective Angel Rodriguez of the Miami-Dade Police Department told Patch on Monday the 73-year-old man was kicked and punched repeatedly around 6 a.m. Sunday while sitting on the train. Miami Fire Rescue took the man to a hospital with multiple injuries.

To report a tip, call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS (8477) or 866-471-8477. Alternatively, visit www.crimestoppersmiami.com and select "Give a Tip" or text "CSMD" followed by the tip information to 274637.