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What seemed to be the beginning of a friendship between two men ended in a nightmare worthy of a police thriller, when one of them kidnapped the other at gunpoint and even demanded a ransom of thousands of dollars from his family.
Andy Josué Torres García, just 18 years old and a resident of the Little Havana neighborhood, was arrested on Tuesday for an incident that has caused shock.
According to a report from the Miami Police, the incident dates back to the night of April 15, when Torres García picked up the victim—whom he had just met two days earlier at a restaurant in Allapattah—with the apparent intention of taking a nighttime walk together.
Both made a brief stop at the nightclub Sexyyy Lady Cabaret, located on Northwest 79th Street. There, Torres García was captured by surveillance cameras while talking to the doorman, in a scene that would later prove crucial for identifying him.
After leaving the club, they headed towards the upscale neighborhood of Brickell. It was on this route, specifically at the intersection of Southwest First Avenue and 13th Street, where, according to the victim's statement, Torres García pulled a gun from inside the car, pressed it against the other person's torso, and threatened to kill him.
"I will kill you here," he would have said while stripping him of his phone, wallet, and a chain.
The victim pleaded with him to let him go, but Torres continued driving with the gun still aimed at his body. "I'm going to demand a ransom for you," he stated before leaving the other person in an unknown location, without means of communication.
The man walked for over two hours to get home. Upon his arrival, he found agents from the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office there, as the family had already been contacted by the kidnapper through the stolen phone, demanding $35,000.
Thanks to the cooperation of the nightclub, whose cameras clearly captured those involved, the police were able to identify the car belonging to Torres García, registered in his mother's name.
He was arrested while at a gas station on Coral Way, near Southwest 13th Avenue.
He is now facing three serious charges: armed kidnapping, armed robbery, and extortion.
The Miami-Dade County judge ordered his detention without bail. As of Wednesday afternoon, he remained incarcerated at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center.
Frequently Asked Questions about Kidnapping in Brickell and Safety in Miami
What happened in the kidnapping in Brickell involving Andy Josué Torres García?
Andy Josué Torres García, 18 years old, kidnapped a man in the Brickell area of Miami after threatening him with a gun and demanding a ransom of $35,000. The victim was left in an unknown location and had to walk back home. Torres García was subsequently arrested and faces serious charges such as armed kidnapping, armed robbery, and extortion.
How was Andy Josué Torres García identified and captured?
The Miami police identified Andy Josué Torres García thanks to the surveillance cameras at the nightclub Sexyyy Lady Cabaret, where he was seen with the victim. The images helped identify the car registered in his mother’s name, which led to his arrest while he was at a gas station.
What charges is Andy Josué Torres García facing and what is his current situation?
Torres García faces charges of armed kidnapping, armed robbery, and extortion. He is currently being held without bail at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center after being found with probable cause by a judge in Miami-Dade County.
What precautionary measures do the authorities in Miami recommend in response to incidents of violence?
The authorities in Miami recommend exercising extreme caution in recent encounters, even those that seem to begin in safe contexts such as restaurants or nightclubs. It is important to stay alert and be suspicious of unusual situations to avoid becoming a victim of violence or crime.
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