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

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

"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 are 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.

"We are appalled by the recent incidents and our heart goes out to the victims," Miami-Dade Transit officials said in a statement. "Thanks to the immediate actions of our security guards, an arrest was made quickly after the incident on Sept. 4. We are also working closely with MDPD and hope their investigation will lead to a prompt arrest of the individual involved in the assault that took place on Sept. 20."

Miami-Dade Police Director Alfredo "Freddy" Ramirez III called the attacks "brutal" and said he and Miami Police Chief Jorge Colina are committed to working together to keep transit riders safe.

"While I’m relieved that the first case resulted in an arrest, we still need to identify the attacker in the second case," Ramirez said.

“To this extent, the Miami Police Department will be deploying additional resources throughout the Metrorail/Metromover system within our jurisdiction, both uniformed and in an undercover capacity in order to increase the safety of our residents and the system’s riders," Colina said.

Detective Angel Rodriguez of the Miami-Dade Police Department told Patch the fourth victim, a 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.

Police released surveillance images of the man who is believed to be responsible for Sunday's attack. He was described as Black with a dark complexion, thin build, 45 to 55 years of age, about 6 feet tall and 180 pounds. He was last seen wearing a black shirt, khaki pants, brown shoes, clear goggles, a blue face mask and camouflaged baseball cap with a skull image.

"The safety of our passengers and staff is always our top priority, and we take this type of incident very seriously," transit officials said. "We are working day and night with MDPD and our security contractor to make sure all necessary measures are taken to help safeguard Miami-Dade Transit riders throughout the system."

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.