Margate Armed Robbery Suspect Arrested; Police Seek Public’s Assistance in Search For Two Accomplices

by Ryan Yousefi March 10, 2025

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Margate Armed Robbery Suspect Arrested; Police Seek Public's Assistance in Search For Two Accomplices

Josiah Soto {BSO}

A man accused of an armed robbery in Margate was taken into custody after law enforcement executed a high-risk traffic stop in Coral Springs.

At the same time, police continue searching for two accomplices.

According to a Margate Police Department incident report, the incident began when two victims drove to an area near the 2500 block of Rock Island Road to meet with a man, later identified as Josiah Soto, 19, of Margate, for a cannabis transaction.

The victims – who were both seated in the front row of their vehicle – told MPD that upon arrival, they were confronted by Soto and two unidentified people. The victims allege that the three individuals – including Soto – approached the driver’s side window and briefly spoke to them before pulling out multiple firearms.

MPD’s arrest report shows that Soto was armed with a black handgun, along with another man wielding a rifle-style firearm and a third holding a second handgun. The victim claims the three men demanded they hand over their belongings.

Soto allegedly approached the passenger side, opening the female victim’s door while keeping his gun pointed at her. The three men then took a wallet from the male victim, containing an ID, $260 in cash, and a credit card.

Soto—known to MPD officers from previous run-ins with the law, including an arrest in February on charges of grand theft of a firearm —was subsequently identified by law enforcement as a suspect in the robbery. On March 4, officers spotted Soto driving his mother’s vehicle alone.

Records show that due to the severity of the charges, the Margate Special Operations Division initiated a vehicle immobilization maneuver in the 9400 block of West Atlantic Boulevard. Upon rendering his vehicle useless, Soto complied with commands and was taken into custody without incident.

During a search of the vehicle, officers discovered a loaded black semi-automatic handgun on the passenger seat.

MPD indicates that the investigation is ongoing, as well as another investigation into the identities of the two co-suspects involved in the robbery. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Margate Police Department.

Soto was arrested and transported to the Broward County Main Jail and remains behind bars.

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Author Profile

Ryan Yousefi

Ryan Yousefi has lived in Coral Springs for over 30 years. He has worked as a writer for multiples outlets over the years, including the Miami New Times where he has covered sports and culture since 2013. He holds a Bachelor's Degree and a Master's Degree in Business Healthcare Management from Western Governors University.