Miami Man Arrested for Alleged Pizza Scam Near Airport

A Miami man has been arrested for allegedly scamming tourists near Miami International Airport by posing as a well-known pizzeria, according to local authorities. The suspect, 55-year-old Jose Marti-Alvarez, reportedly distributed fake flyers for a non-existent “Roman Cuisine Pizzeria” to hotel guests along NW 36th Street, leading customers to believe they were ordering from the popular Romans Pizzeria, as stated by Miami Springs police.

The incident escalated on Sunday when a 28-year-old front desk clerk at the Days Inn contacted police after claiming that Marti-Alvarez struck her with his Camaro during a heated exchange. The clerk reported that she was hit in the pelvic area while standing behind Marti-Alvarez’s car. Marti-Alvarez acknowledged arguing with a hotel employee but denied hitting her, according to the police report.

Romans Pizzeria, which celebrated its 40th anniversary last April and gained recognition in 2022 from Barstool Sports founder and pizza critic David Portnoy, has recently been inundated with complaints from customers who unknowingly ordered from the fake pizzeria. According to the police report, customers reported receiving subpar food, and delivery drivers often failed to return with change after cash payments.

One Google review highlighted the frustration, describing an experience where the customer received the wrong order, including a burnt sandwich instead of a Philly cheesesteak and soup that tasted like “warmed up Campbell’s soup.” When the customer tried to complain, the delivery service hung up on her twice.

After being read his rights, Marti-Alvarez reportedly admitted to distributing fake flyers for about ten years, fully aware that it was illegal to use a fraudulent business name. The Florida Division of Corporations confirmed that no business exists under the name Roman Cuisine Pizzeria.

Authorities have yet to determine where the fake pizzas were prepared or if they met health and safety standards. The address Marti-Alvarez provided to police led to a cafeteria in an industrial area of Allapattah.

Marti-Alvarez was released from Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center on Tuesday after posting a $5,000 bond. He faces charges of aggravated battery and an organized scheme to defraud, with an arraignment scheduled for September 17.

In a final twist, when contacted by New Times, a man who answered Marti-Alvarez’s phone simply responded, “Pizza, pizza, Miami,” after denying his identity.