It sounds like something out of a crime drama — a woman in her twenties targeting rich men in luxury hotels, blinding them with pepper spray, then stealing their pricey watches.
But this was no movie plot. It actually happened in Miami, and now the woman at the center of it all is walking free with probation.
No Jail Time for Serial Robber Esther Torres
Esther Torres, a 20-year-old woman from Florida, has managed to avoid a prison sentence after admitting to a string of violent thefts.
Instead of serving time behind bars, she received a five-year probation sentence this week.
Her charges included armed robbery, burglary, and third-degree grand theft.
She accepted a plea deal, which allowed her to escape the more severe consequences of her actions.
How She Targeted Her Victims in Luxury Hotels
Authorities say Torres wasn’t just randomly picking people off the street — she had a pattern.
She focused on affluent male victims, particularly those staying at upscale hotels in Miami Beach.
The first incident happened in March at the Breakwater Hotel.
The victim was pepper-sprayed and robbed of a Hugo Boss watch, a stash of cash in U.S. dollars and euros, and multiple credit cards.
Shortly after, a second robbery unfolded at the iconic Fontainebleau Hotel, just a short drive from the first crime scene.
This time, Torres made off with a $22,000 Rolex watch after blinding the man with mace.
That victim told police the spray left him unable to see temporarily, making him an easy target.
Caught on Camera Strolling Away
Despite the aggressive nature of the crimes, Torres seemed unfazed.
Surveillance footage showed her calmly leaving the hotels after the robberies.
She didn’t run or act suspicious — just walked out like it was any other day.
But those recordings would later help police track her down.
Mitch Novick, the owner of the nearby Sherbrooke Hotel, played a critical role in the investigation.
When police realized Torres may have passed by his property, they asked him to check his security footage.
Sure enough, Novick spotted someone who matched her description and handed the video over to authorities.
Surveillance Footage and a Traffic Stop Lead to Her Arrest
The real breakthrough came in April during a traffic stop.
Police pulled over a vehicle tied to one of the earlier robberies.
Although a man was arrested at the scene, Torres also showed up.
This allowed officers to match her face to surveillance footage and confirm her involvement.
Eventually, Torres was officially identified through a photo released on a “need to identify” flyer.
That image helped seal the case against her. In May, law enforcement finally arrested her.
Bodycam Footage Shows Calm Arrest
Officers recorded the arrest on bodycam.
They asked Torres if she had any weapons on her, to which she calmly replied “No, no,” while wearing a strapless white top and a bonnet.
She was taken into custody with a child in the vehicle, although it’s unclear what the child’s relationship to her was.
Released on Bond and Back in Public
Following her arrest, Torres was granted a recognizance bond in June — meaning she was released without having to pay bail — and is no longer in custody.
Her freedom, despite the violent nature of her crimes, has raised eyebrows and stirred conversations about how the justice system handles female offenders.
What Comes Next for Esther Torres?
With probation now underway, Torres is back in the public — but with legal eyes on her.
If she violates any terms of her probation, it could lead to jail time.
For now, though, the woman described as a “predator” by a hotel owner is walking the streets of Miami again, free but monitored.
The bigger question is whether this lenient outcome will serve as a wake-up call or just the beginning of more trouble.