Man's fingernail torn off during Miami Beach robbery

Tattoo artist robbed while riding skateboard home

MIAMI BEACH, Fla. – A tattoo artist was robbed early Monday in Miami Beach while riding his skateboard home, police said.

Surveillance video captured two men attacking the victim, identified as Tonny Fagundez, just before 5 a.m.

Police said Fagundez took the bus from South Beach toward his North Beach home and then rode his skateboard the rest of the way.

Police said a dark-colored SUV pulled up alongside him, and the thieves asked the victim for a cigarette.

Fagundez agreed to give them a cigarette, but said the men got out of the SUV and began to approach him.

In fear for his life, the victim ran toward a Chevron gas station at 71st Street and Harding Avenue, police said.

"Before I got the chance to give them whatever it was they asked for - the cigarette, that's when I got the first blow to the face that knocked me completely down," Fagundez said.

Surveillance video shows the two men attacking Fagundez on the ground, taking his backpack, which contained work supplies.

Police said the men also stole the victim's skateboard.

"I had the impression that they may have had something against the person because the person was on the ground," Gregory Laraque, who witnessed the attack, said. "I don't see why they would continue to beat on him."

Fagundez told Local 10 News that the video looked worse than what it felt like.

Miami Beach Fire Rescue treated Fagundez at the scene. Authorities said he suffered bruising and cuts and had a fingernail torn off.

"What happened to that?" Local 10 News reporter Glenna Milberg asked Fagundez regarding his fingernail.

"Maybe they stepped on it or something. Maybe I stepped on it. Who knows," he said.

Anyone with information about the robbers, who are believed to be Hispanic, is asked to call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS.

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About the Authors:

Amanda Batchelor is the Digital Executive Producer for Local10.com.

Glenna Milberg joined Local 10 News in September 1999 to report on South Florida's top stories and community issues. She also serves as co-host on Local 10's public affairs broadcast, "This Week in South Florida."