MIAMI BEACH, Fla. — A man accused of robbing a Turkish tourist of a luxury watch in Miami Beach has been arrested nearly four years after the crime, according to police.
Miami Beach police said the incident happened on Jan. 29, 2022, when the tourist met Dejon William Barnes while having drinks at Mac’s Club Deuce. The victim was wearing a Rolex Datejust 41 valued at approximately $14,000.
According to the arrest affidavit, surveillance footage showed Barnes following the tourist after he left the bar. Investigators say Barnes then pulled out a gun, grabbed the victim and stole the watch before fleeing.
A detective later created and distributed a flyer with images of the suspect. About two years after the robbery, the detective identified Barnes after seeing his name and photo, noting a “strong resemblance,” the affidavit said.
At the time, Barnes — now 25 — was serving a prison sentence for a separate armed robbery. Police said once they learned he had been released from custody last month, detectives located and arrested him on the 100 block of Northeast 25th Street in Miami.
During a search of his home, officers allegedly found a small black Ruger firearm similar to the one described by the victim.
Barnes declined to give a statement to authorities. He is charged with one count of armed robbery and was being held Thursday night at the Miami-Dade Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center pending a court hearing, according to jail records.
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