Florida

Man Stole Jewelry From Miami Beach Tourist, Was Angry Over Quality: Police

A man accused of snatching jewelry from a Miami Beach tourist then becoming angry over the quality of the merchandise was behind bars Thursday.

Daniel Sion Palmer, 26, is charged with armed robbery, fleeing and eluding, reckless driving and possession of a suspended license, police said.

Palmer was being held without bond Thursday. It was unknown if he has an attorney.

The incident happened about 3 a.m. on South Beach, near 11th Street and Ocean Drive, when Palmer allegedly pointed a gun at a man from New York, grabbed his gold chain and then took off.

Police say Palmer apparently was not satisfied with his freshly stolen jewelry, and so he approached the victim again a block away, near 10th Street, just so he could tell him the jewelry was fake.

"That was a brazen move and because of that he was able to be apprehended," Det. Ernesto Rodriguez said.

The victim was able to flag police down and point out Palmer, who was now driving a Mercedes. Investigators say he sped across 8th street, then down Collins Avenue, disregarding the police officers who had turned on their lights and sirens.

He then drove onto the MacArthur Causeway, and was arrested there.

Erika Allgaier, visiting from Boston, wouldn't think twice about wearing jewelry in south Florida.

"You feel safe when you're in Miami, you shouldn't feel you should be threatened by someone or someone coming up and taking your jewelry," Allgaier said.

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