Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, September 9, 1993 TAG: 9309090213
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Boston Globe
DATELINE: MIAMI LENGTH: Medium
Uwe-Wilhelm Rakebrand, 33, was fatally shot inside a rental car shortly after arriving in Miami, while his pregnant, 27-year-old wife read a brochure listing safety tips for tourists.
The couple's car was bumped from behind by a van on a highway overpass near downtown Miami. Rakebrand's wife told him not to stop because the brochure said thieves frequently hit cars from behind to cause them to stop. In police parlance, it is known as a bump and rob.
But the van pulled alongside Rakebrand's car and shot at the agricultural engineer from Adendorf, Germany. A single bullet hit Rakebrand in the back, and he died at the scene. His wife, whose name police declined to release, was not injured.
Police had no idea why the Rakebrands were targeted.
Late Wednesday night, however, they announced the arrest of a suspect, 19-year-old Ricondall Wiggins, on charges of murder and attempted robbery. Sgt. Gerald Green said a tip led to the break in the case. He would not elaborate.
Wiggins was alleged to have been the driver of the van. More suspects were being sought, including possibly a woman, Green said, characterizing them as "hunters."
Rakebrand was the fourth German tourist and the eighth overall to be slain in Florida since October. The killing appeared another serious blow to the image of the Sunshine State.
"No words can express the shock and disgust we all feel over a senseless and tragic crime," Gov. Lawton Chiles said at a news conference. Rakebrand's killing was especially unsettling to authorities because the couple was attacked on a major highway and was taking the precautions advised by tourism officials.
A VCR at the Alamo Rent-a-Car company office where Rakebrand picked up his red Toyota Corolla plays a videotape every five minutes giving tourists tips on avoiding street crime, including the bump-and-rob technique.
"The couple did not stop, and yet the van pulled around and someone inside shot at them. That to me is disgusting," said Miami Police Chief Calvin Ross. Added Mayor Xavier Suarez, "There is no modus operandi, nothing to compare this to. You have to wonder what was really going on in the minds of the individuals in question."
In Germany, the Foreign Ministry repeated earlier suggestions that Germans have their rental cars delivered to their hotels, and officials said they would re-examine travel advisories because of the latest attack.
The German consul in Miami expressed grief and anger but cautioned against overreacting.
"The horrible act of last night speaks for itself," said consul Klaus Sommer, who spent much of Wednesday with Rakebrand's wife. "Everyone's feeling is with the victim's family. But I would not say: `Stay away. Miami is not a safe place, I do not want to minimize what happened last night, but . . . .' This is a beautiful area with fine, friendly, helpful people."
More than 400,000 Germans travel to Florida each year, including 250,000 in the Miami area. Foreign tourists are expected to make up 16 percent of the state's more than 42 million visitors this year, according to the Division of Tourism. Florida is the most popular U.S. destination for foreigners.
In the past, rental cars in Florida were easy targets because they were marked with special plates, bumper stickers and window decals. But rental agencies this year have been removing such distinguishing features, and Rakebrand's car had no such markings.
Police do not know how the suspects chose the German couple but suspect the attackers may have followed the car from the rental company's parking lot.
by CNB