Miami Gardens, Florida — Two men have been arrested after police say a violent carjacking at a gas station left an elderly man with serious injuries and hospitalized.
Authorities identified the suspects as 33-year-old Ktwon Bailey and 27-year-old Christian Sarmiento, both of whom face multiple charges following the incident in Miami Gardens over the weekend.
According to arrest reports, the attack occurred Saturday morning at a Marathon Gas station located at 4699 Northwest 183rd Street.
Investigators say the incident turned violent when the suspects confronted the victim outside the gas station and demanded money.
Police say victim was severely beaten during robbery
When officers arrived at the scene, they found the elderly victim in a blood-soaked shirt with a deep cut above his right eyebrow and severe swelling around his eye, according to police reports.
Emergency responders transported the man by trauma helicopter to Aventura Hospital, where medical staff later confirmed he suffered serious injuries.
Doctors reported the victim had significant head and neck injuries, including bleeding on the brain, according to investigators.
The severity of the injuries prompted authorities to classify the case as a violent felony.
Victim says suspects demanded money before attacking
Investigators said the victim told deputies he had parked his 1987 GMC pickup truck and entered the gas station to make a purchase.
When he returned to his vehicle, he said two men approached him and aggressively demanded money.
When the victim told them he had no money, one of the suspects allegedly began repeatedly punching him in the face.
Police say the second suspect then searched the victim’s pockets and took his belongings.
The victim told authorities he attempted to get into his truck to escape, but the suspects held him against his will during the attack.
Suspects allegedly stole victim’s truck
Investigators said the situation escalated when one suspect climbed into the victim’s pickup truck and drove away, while the other suspect fled on foot.
The stolen vehicle was later located the same day by deputies with the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office.
Authorities detained three individuals inside the truck, including Bailey and Sarmiento.
Police said Sarmiento made a spontaneous statement acknowledging he knew he was being detained for the earlier incident.
Witness and surveillance evidence helped investigators
A third man who was inside the vehicle told investigators he had been picked up earlier by Bailey and Sarmiento.
According to police reports, the man said Bailey allegedly admitted that he had beaten a man earlier that day.
Investigators also reviewed surveillance footage from the gas station, which showed both suspects interacting with the victim shortly before the attack.
The victim later identified Bailey and Sarmiento as the men who assaulted him and stole his truck.
Multiple charges filed against suspects
Both suspects were taken into custody and booked into jail.
Authorities say they are facing several serious charges, including:
- Attempted felony murder causing injury
- False imprisonment
- Robbery carjacking
- Aggravated battery on a person 65 or older
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Officials say the investigation remains ongoing as detectives continue reviewing evidence related to the case.
Community concern after violent attack
The violent nature of the incident has raised concerns among local residents, particularly because the victim was an elderly man targeted at a public location.
Law enforcement officials say cases involving violence against older adults are treated with particular seriousness due to the vulnerability of victims.
Authorities have not released additional details about the victim’s condition following the attack.
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