Miami, FL - A Miami resident faces serious charges after allegedly stealing two PlayStation 5 consoles from a local GameStop and threatening the store manager with what appeared to be a firearm.
According to an arrest report from the Miami Police Department, 19-year-old Yasmani Alvarez, was arrested on Monday and charged with armed robbery with a weapon.
Authorities responded to a reported armed robbery at the GameStop located at 2968 SW 8th Street.
The store manager informed officers that Alvarez entered the store, expressing frustration over a non-functional prepaid card he received after trading in games.
She advised him to contact corporate support, as she had no control over the prepaid cards.
Alvarez remained in the store, contacted corporate, and then allegedly declared his intent to steal.
He proceeded to take a box containing two recently delivered PlayStation 5 consoles from the counter.
As he attempted to leave, the manager tried to intervene, but Alvarez allegedly warned her to step back, displaying what appeared to be a gun tucked in his waistband.
During their investigation, police identified Alvarez's vehicle based on a description and registration information.
Surveillance led them to his residence, where they observed him entering the driver's seat of the car.
Officers conducted a traffic stop at East Sixth Avenue and 15th Street, detaining Alvarez, who was accompanied by his girlfriend and child.
One of the stolen PlayStation consoles was reportedly found in the passenger seat.
With consent from Alvarez's girlfriend, detectives searched their shared room, discovering clothing matching the description from the GameStop incident, the second stolen PlayStation console, and a black airsoft gun believed to have been used during the robbery.
Alvarez was taken into custody and, according to the arrest report, admitted to stealing the video game consoles.