Fifth Arrest Made in Armored Truck Guard Shooting

Five suspects are expected to appear in Federal Court on Tuesday

A fifth suspect has been arrested in the robbery and killing of an armored truck guard at Calder Casino and Race Course in Miami Gardens, the FBI said Monday.

Uri Steven Ammar, 26, of Hollywood was taken into custody without incident by members of the South Florida Violent Crimes Task Force, said Special Agent in Charge John V. Gillies.

Ammar is expected to appear in federal court on Tuesday along with Vladimir Louissant, 25, Victoria Barkley, 26, Byron Kyler, 23, and Reginald Mitchell, 26, all of Miami Gardens. The four were arrested earlier Monday, also without incident.

The robbery began Sunday around 5 p.m. when a car dropped off two men at a Wal-Mart in the 19000 block of Northwest 27th Avenue just south of the casino, according to FBI spokesman Michael Leverock.

The two men stole a Dodge truck and drove it to Calder where they ambushed a Brinks guard, Leverock said.

"Just before 5, a suspect gets out of the truck and goes to a bench and sits there, he waits until the armored car guard carrying some money leaves Calder, he rushes him and at that time, shots were fired," he said. 

The guard was hit and the suspects fled the scene with some cash in the truck, which was later found at the nearby El Palacio Hotel.

The guard was taken to Ryder Trauma Center, where he died. His identity is being withheld by the FBI pending notification of family members.

Surveillance video from the casino showed a man walking nearby before he jumped into the truck.

Calder president Austin Miller issued a statement Monday expressing his condolences for the guard's family.

"The staff and management of Calder Casino & Race Course share the grief and sorrow that the victim’s family, our team members, guests, and community are feeling following this tragic act of violence," Miller said. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of the victim."

Contact Us