Police search for armed robbers

NORTHWEST MIAMI-DADE, Fla. (WSVN) -- Miami-Dade Police are investigating a disturbing crime caught on camera, but thanks to a quick-thinking homeowner, the crooks involved may not get very far.

According to police, a man who was working on a driveway in Northwest Miami-Dade became the victim of an armed vehicle robbery.

Three men took the victim to his home in his work van while they held him at gunpoint, zapped him with a stun gun and asked for valuables, police said. "If they took me from another house," said Pedro Ortega, "and they took me to this one, they were looking for the money I had in the house."

Surveillance showed one man forcing the victim to the ground and then leaving him in his driveway at Northwest 23rd Avenue and Northwest 32nd Street.

Ortega's wife arrived at their home while the thieves were there. The robbers allowed Ortega to answer the phone. "I told her to go to Home Depot where my car had broken down," said Ortega. Ortega said he lied to his wife so that the thieves wouldn't hurt her, too.

The thieves got away with $5,000 cash Ortega kept in the shed behind his home and two computers. Ortega believes they took the computers because they thought that's where the surveillance video recorded to, but they were wrong.

They also got away with Ortega's 2001 white Econo Van filled with all of his work tools.

If you recognize the three men caught on camera, 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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