According to Miami police, the theft of the $400,000 Black Badge Rolls-Royce happened in a matter of minutes that same morning at the luxury Paraiso Bayviews condominiums in Edgewater. NBC6’s Daniela Cado reports.
A man accused of stealing a Rolls-Royce from a Miami neighborhood was arrested on Sunday, police said.
According to Miami Police, the theft of the $400,000 Black Badge Rolls-Royce happened in a matter of minutes that same morning at the luxury Paraiso Bayviews condominiums in Edgewater.
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WATCH HEREThe vehicle's owner, Jonathan Sanchez, said he was heading to an urgent care center when he moved the car from his parking spot to the valet area.
Police said Sanchez told the valet to watch his car while he ran upstairs to get his wallet. He left the vehicle running and unlocked, but took the key with him.
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As Sanchez ran upstairs, he said his phone started ringing. It was the valet, saying someone had stolen his car.
According to authorities, the suspect, 36-year-old James Brown had "walked up to the vehicle and said, 'This is my car,'" hopped in and drove off.
"I'm like, how does this happen? I gave you the car. You just let him get in the car and roll off?" Sanchez said. "I'm furious, but what comes to mind first is just, do better."
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Sanchez said surveillance images show Brown approaching the Rolls-Royce and driving away.
"You're supposed to feel safe in your area. You're not supposed to feel like you need to safeguard your stuff," the victim said.
Sanchez said he contacted police and Rolls-Royce to track the thief. He and a friend drove around Little Haiti until they were able to track the car down to a gas station at Northwest 7th Avenue and Northwest 54th Street.
When police arrived, they said Brown had already gotten out of the car and a customer told them he was at the AutoZone "across the street having a confrontation" with a witness.
When police approached, Brown allegedly took off, running through the parking lot and jumping a fence at the back of the property.
Eventually he was caught and charged with grand theft of a vehicle, resisting an officer without violence and petty theft. His bond court hearing is set for Monday morning.
A picture shows the subject pinned to the ground as officers handcuff him.
Sanchez, meanwhile, got his car back—but in rough shape. He said it had been crashed into a pole several times.
"The chassis, the suspension, windows are cracked, vandalized inside," he said. "It's just sad to see that something so careless could've just been prevented by doing simple procedures."
NBC6 has requested comment from Paraiso Bayviews about the theft.
