Police have arrested a man who they say shot an architecture student after stealing $1 from him last month in Miami Beach.
Miami Beach Police detectives took Ranier Figueroa, 25, into custody Thursday in Miami Springs in connection with the July 21 shooting.
Miami Beach Police said the victim and his friend were sitting on the front steps of a building on the 1000 block of Eighth Street near Michigan Court when the suspect walked past them and asked for a dollar.
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As they tried to give the man a dollar, the suspect pulled out a gun with a laser and demanded everything. He then shot the victim, and stole $1 from him — as well as the friend’s wallet — before running away.
The 25-year-old victim was in a medically induced coma and is still in the hospital in stable condition. His family said he is studying architecture in Argentina but came to South Florida a few months ago to work.
“We were able to arrest this dangerous man, provide a little bit of closure for his family," said Ernesto Rodriguez, spokesperson with the Miami Beach Police Department.
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Figueroa, of Hialeah, was apprehended at the Miami Springs Extended Stay America hotel, the same one where police gunned down Jamie Robles, the second suspect of an armed robbery that led to the shooting death of Miami-Dade Detective Cesar Echaverry.
Miami Beach Police say technology and tips from the public helped them track down Figueroa.
“This has been a busy week for law enforcement and I think the message to the criminals in our community is you will be located. You will be tracked down. You will be arrested," Rodriguez said.
Figueroa was charged with attempted murder and armed robbery. He's being held in jail with no bond.
