A Hialeah man is terrified to return to work after police say he was robbed at gunpoint on his first day at a new job in front of his children.
Andres Durant, 29, moved from Cuba to Hialeah just a few weeks ago. Police say he'd just wrapped up his first day of work on Tuesday at a northwest Miami-Dade warehouse. His stepfather, Lucio Martinez, 51, had come to pick him up and had Durant's children, ages 10 and 7, with him.
Surveillance video shows the family walking together to Martinez's car. A white van is seen passing by the group as Durant loads his children in the car, his daughter wearing a pair of roller skates.
A coworker rides by on a forklift and waves goodbye as Durant loads the children into the car. At that moment, the white van reappears, this time blocking the car's path. A man jumps out of the van and points a gun at the Durant and his family and according to police, orders them out of the vehicle.
Martinez complied with the man's demands, as Durant unloads his terrified children, shielding them from the gunman. As they exited the car, the gunman snatched a gold chain from around Durant's neck.
The gunman tried to snatch the car keys, but couldn't, so he took off again in the van.
Alain Fernandez works next door, and spoke to Durant immediately following the terrifying incident.
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"He was just in a state of shock. He was very grateful that nothing happened, you know, more than it is," said Fernandez, adding "How much can a chain cost?"
A records check revealed that the white van used in the robbery was stolen from the city of Miami on March 31. It was later found in the area of Northwest 63rd Court and 21st Avenue, according to police.
"It's amazing that this community here still has to be subject to things like that," Fernandez said.
Police also say there were two men in the van. Both are described as black males. The gunman is believed to be between 25 and 30 years old, standing 5'7" or 5'8" and between 140 and 150 lbs.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at (305) 471-TIPS.
