A man is facing charges after police say he was caught on camera breaking a game console at a Hialeah cafe and fleeing with cash on Tuesday.
Otoniel Rodriguez, 40, was arrested Tuesday on charges of robbery, grand larceny and criminal mischief.
Police said Rodriguez was seen on surveillance footage entering the Rainbow Cafe on West 19th Street wearing a wig, a hat and a face mask.
Officials said the suspect pulled out an ax and smashed several game consoles in the cafeteria, where a man was inside at the time.
The video also shows another person using a chair to try to stop the suspect, but the suspect continued to swing at the machine.
Rodriguez appeared before a Miami-Dade bond court judge Wednesday. The judge said Rodriguez destroyed three gaming machines and stole $7,000 in cash.
Investigators said this was not Rodriguez’s first crime using a gaming console.
The suspect reportedly committed a similar crime at a Hialeah gas station on February 29, using a small hammer to damage three game consoles and steal cash.
Rainbow Cafe owners expressed their gratitude for Rodriguez’s arrest.
“The business owners are extremely grateful to the Hialeah Police Department for their quick response, investigation, and arrest of the suspect,” the business owners said in a statement.
Rodriguez was booked into jail and remained in custody Thursday morning. Attorney information was not available.
