Man accused of robbing British tourist at knifepoint in Miami Beach

MIAMI BEACH, Florida. – A night of partying in Miami Beach took a dangerous turn for a British tourist when an argument escalated into a robbery, leaving the victim without his cellphone and the suspect behind bars, police confirmed Tuesday.

According to a Miami Beach Police Department arrest report, the victim and Jagjot Matharu, 40, had spent part of Saturday morning and evening together before an argument broke out near the 7000 block of Harding Avenue , on North Beach, at approximately 8:30 a.m. Sunday.

During the confrontation, police said Matharu pointed a small pocket knife at the victim and demanded his phone, repeatedly saying, “Let me see your f—— phone.”

Miami Beach police confirmed that surveillance video captured the tense exchange, during which Matharu was seen holding the knife and taking the victim’s phone.

Authorities said that after the robbery, Matharu fled the scene on foot.

Determined to get his phone back, the victim gave chase but was unable to catch him.

During the altercation, Matharu yelled at the victim, “Welcome to America, bitch,” the report states.

Unable to retrieve his phone, the victim entered a nearby hotel to contact the police.

While speaking with a front desk manager at the hotel where he was staying, authorities said the victim identified Matharu from a photo on his driver’s license. Police said Matharu had previously been trespassed into the hotel.

Police said a Ring surveillance camera located at the scene provided additional audio and video evidence of the theft. Authorities said they located and arrested Matharu on Sunday.

During a search after the arrest, officers said they found the stolen cell phone in Matharu’s possession.

Jail records show Matharu faces one count of armed robbery with a firearm or deadly weapon.

As of Tuesday, he has been held at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center, where his bond has not yet been determined.