MIAMI BEACH — A 20-year-old Cuban woman, Esther María Torres, was arrested this week after being linked to a series of robberies targeting guests at luxury hotels in Miami Beach.
Authorities say Torres used pepper spray to incapacitate male victims in at least two attacks, stealing high-value watches and other valuables.
According to police reports, Torres, a resident of Overtown, carried out the thefts at two iconic Miami Beach hotels in late March. The first incident occurred on March 26 at the Breakwater Hotel, where she robbed an international tourist of a Hugo Boss watch and a wallet. Four days later, on March 30, she allegedly targeted another man at the famed Fontainebleau Hotel, stealing a Rolex Submariner valued at $22,000.
Investigators say Torres’s modus operandi involved spraying pepper spray into victims’ eyes to temporarily blind them, allowing her to escape with their belongings. In the Fontainebleau case, the robbery followed a social encounter where Torres returned to the victim’s hotel room.
This tactic, although less common than using sedatives, reflects a disturbing trend where offenders exploit social or romantic situations at nightlife and tourism hotspots.
The investigation accelerated in mid-April after police stopped a vehicle linked to one of the thefts. Torres appeared at the scene with a man who was arrested, prompting suspicion. Authorities matched Torres to surveillance images of the suspect, leading to her arrest on May 15 on charges of armed robbery.
Torres appeared in Miami-Dade court, where her detention was ordered without bail. Her arrest follows similar cases in South Florida, including a recent arrest of a woman suspected of drugging and robbing men on dates.
Local law enforcement warns residents and tourists to remain vigilant, especially when interacting with strangers in private settings like hotel rooms, and encourages immediate reporting of suspicious activity.
Miami Beach remains a popular destination but faces challenges from such opportunistic crimes targeting visitors’ safety.
