Man In Custody After Allegedly Opening Fire On Cops In SOBE

MIAMI BEACH, FL -- A man was taken into custody Friday afternoon following an armed robbery in South Beach, a wild police chase over the MacArthur Causeway and a manhunt that caused an interruption to Metrorail service for hundreds of public transit riders in downtown Miami.

"A vehicle was located, subject discharged his firearm from the vehicle," explained Miami Beach police. "A pursuit began across the MacArthur Causeway into the City of Miami."

Miami Beach police said the man "bailed from vehicle in Miami" and was being chased by Miami police and Miami Beach police.

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"The subject was apprehended within the perimeter near a shed by Miami Beach Police K-9," said Ernesto Rodriguez of the Miami Beach Police Department.

The incident comes at the start of the spring break season when college students from around the country make their annual trek to Florida beaches.

Miami-Dade Transit said Metrorail service was "interrupted throughout the system" and trains bypassed Culmer station for a time as a result of the incident.

Rodriguez told Patch that the shot was fired at 3 Street and Michigan Avenue in Miami Beach prior to the chase.

He said the incident began with a 9-1-1 report of an armed robbery at 4 Street and Ocean Drive around 1:30 p.m. It ended more than four hours later.

"We now know the victim of the robbery was a valet attendant who was robbed of money at gunpoint," Rodriguez said. "The subject then fled to a white Dodge Challenger."

He said Miami Beach police found the white car near 3 Street and Michigan Avenue. "This is when the subject fired a shot through his windshield towards our officer," Rodriguez explained. "Thankfully, our officer was not injured nor were any bystanders."

In Miami, police set up a perimeter between NW 7th Court to 8th Avenue and 11th to 12th Streets.

Miami police asked motorists to avoid the area during the manhunt.