Police arrest man who robbed post office at gunpoint
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (WSVN) -- Authorities arrested a man who is believed to be responsible for holding up a post office at gunpoint.
Police arrested Demetrias Dennard, 19, Thursday evening for holding up the Carol City branch post office, located at 18690 NW 37 Avenue.
According to officials, a woman doing business at the post office called police on her cellular phone when she saw a customer jump over the counter brandishing a pistol. Before help could arrive, the suspect had fled the scene.
Miami-Dade police set up a huge perimeter, taking particular interest in the apartment complex across the street. Police wielded shotguns and scanned the area through binoculars. They also had a helicopter up in the air, keeping a close eye on the perimeter and sent out K-9 units. After more than an hour of searching, police dropped the perimeter with no suspect in custody.
The heavy police presence concerned Chekeela Straughter, who lives in the apartment building police had searched through. "We have children that need to come out and play," she said. "They can't come out and play because we got somebody running through the building. We don't know who they are or whatever, and we're scared to open our doors."
U.S. Postal Inspectors were also at the scene to investigate the day's dramatic events. Inspector Del Alvarez recalled that the man might be difficult to describe because he was wearing a ski mask during the robbery and worked so fast. "He said, 'This is a hold-up,' and waived his gun, jumped the counter, took his money and sped off," said Alvarez. "We're in the process of reviewing some video. Hopefully, if the video has good quality, we'll be able to distribute it to the media for some help, if we need it."
If you have any information call Miami-Dade CrimeStoppers at 305-471-TIPS.
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