Suspect named in car-jacking with child

HIALEAH, Fla. (WSVN) -- Police are searching for a suspected serial bank robber believed responsible for car-jacking a vehicle with a child in it.

The FBI suspect 48-year-old Pedro Luis Valdez, wanted for two bank robberies in Miami-Dade, has a car he took from a father who stepped out of his sport utility vehicle in Hialeah to get some ice cream for his son. At around 1:50 p.m. Wednesday, the father stepped out of the SUV for a moment, at Northwest 37th Avenue and 58th Street, and the crook tried to take the car with 3-year-old Daniel Rivero still inside.

"He said give me one ice cream and then he gave me one dollar, then he turned around to go to the car and I heard, '[EXPLETIVE] my son, somebody kidnapped my son,'" said the ice cream truck driver.

Vicente Rivero, the boy's uncle, said the father fought tooth and nail before the stranger took off. "He tried to fight with the guy," he said, "the ice cream guy tried to fight with the guy, but he he left with the child."

About an hour later, Miami Police would find the little boy at a TD bank, located at 720 NW 57 Ave., on the outskirts of Miami, near Hialeah. Police believe the car-jacking suspect left the child there, but he remains at large in the Mitsubishi Montero he stole.

The boy's mother and father showed up at the bank and left with him in their arms, just before 4 p.m. They are now at the Hialeah Police Department with the boy.

Authorities released a 911 call they received around 1:45 p.m. Wednesday.

Caller: "They robbed a car with a child inside."

Caller: "Someone is bleeding from the nose. They need fire rescue right now."

911 Operator: "OK, the tag number on the vehicle, did anybody get that?"

Caller: "No, they do not have the tag number."

"We have the child," said Hialeah Police Detective Eddie Rodriguez, "we don't have the vehicle, so if anybody's seen this vehicle traveling in their city, pick up the phone and call 911."

According to police, after the suspect dropped off the child at the TD bank, he went 20 blocks west to the Bank of America, located at 7760 West Flagler Street, and robbed it.

Police said, using surveillance footage, they also connected Valdez to a Regions Bank robbery at 8373 West Flagler Street in Miami on Friday, at approximately 11:50 a.m.

Police are still looking for Valdez, who they call armed and dangerous, as well as the Montero with Florida license tag T30 6JD. It also had tinted windows and a handicap decal. "Do not approach him, he's considered armed and dangerous," said Rodriguez. "We already know that he has committed several criminal acts starting as of last week. If you see him or you spot the vehicle call 911 and let us go out there and handle it."

If you have information on the car's whereabouts, call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a reward.

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