Man arrested after at least 3 injured in series of armed carjackings in southwest Miami-Dade, sheriff's office says

At least three people were rushed to a hospital on Thursday night after a series of armed carjackings in southwest Miami-Dade, according to the sheriff's office.

The Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office said that the incidents began around 8:45 p.m. after deputies responded to reports of an armed carjacking in the area of Southwest 67th Avenue and Southwest 40th Street.

When those deputies arrived, they said they found a victim who had been beaten and stabbed, and then his vehicle was stolen by an unknown man.

Members of Miami-Dade Fire Rescue responded to the scene and rushed the victim to a hospital in critical condition.

Soon after, deputies said they began to receive reports of additional robberies and carjackings.

One of those took place in the area of Southwest 137th Avenue and Southwest 57th Street, and then another at a gas station in the area of Southwest 157th Avenue and Southwest 88th Street.

In those incidents, deputies said that Miami-Dade Fire Rescue brought the victims to an area hospital in stable condition.

Deputies then were searching in the area of Southwest 152nd Avenue and Southwest 72nd Street when they located the most recently carjacked vehicle and the suspect, who was running away from the scene, according to investigators.

A foot pursuit began, and the suspect, identified as 33-year-old Alejandro Martinez, was taken into custody.

MDSO Robbery detectives interviewed the suspect and learned that in addition to the armed robberies and carjackings, Martinez was also involved in two additional incidents in the Midwest and Hammocks Districts, where he allegedly beat victims, causing them to be transported by MDFR to area hospitals. Their conditions are currently unknown, according to MDSO. 

He is facing a total of 15 charges, according to Miami-Dade Corrections, such as armed robbery, attempted felony murder, and battery causing great bodily harm.