Miami, FL - An 18-year-old South Florida man has been arrested after allegedly pistol-whipping a woman and forcing her to transfer $2,500 to his bank account.
According to the Miami Police Department, the victim contacted police on May 28th after she went to a friend's residence near the 600 block of Northwest 67th Street in Miami's Little Haiti neighborhood to deliver $400 that she owed to a friend.
Upon her arrival, the woman encountered her friend and five other men, including 18-year-old Ronald Ward Jr., who was standing outside the residence.
Authorities say that after the victim handed her friend the money, she returned to her vehicle.
At that point, Ward approached her, grabbed her by the face, and attempted to snatch her purse.
A struggle ensued, during which Ward produced a handgun and struck the victim while demanding that she "give me the purse."
The victim allowed Ward to take her purse, but Ward seized her cell phone and directed her to transfer $2,500 from her bank account to his.
Following the transaction, Ward allegedly smashed the victim's phone on the ground.
When police arrived, the victim identified Ward as the suspect through a photo lineup.
On Tuesday, detectives located Ward and transported him to the Miami Police Department's robbery unit for questioning.
During the interview, Ward denied any knowledge of the robbery but was arrested on a charge of armed robbery with a deadly weapon.
He is currently being held without bond at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center.