Report: Burglars targeting mall shoppers in South Florida
MIAMI, Fla. - Authorities in South Florida say there's a rise in the number of burglary victims who are being targeted and followed after buying items at shopping malls, reports CBS Miami.
"This is going on all over Dade County and Broward County and this is an organized crime being done where laptops and Iphones are being stolen," said South Miami Police Sgt. Henry Guzman.
One of the victims, who only wanted to be identified as Jessica, told CBS Miami, "It really bothers me. I felt really violated because I do believe they followed me from the mall."
Authorities have released surveillance video of a man apparently breaking into Jessica's car.
"I think everyone should look at the video and help police because I don't think I was the first person who they did this to and it is going to continue until they've stopped them and they need help," she told the station. "I just think I was definitely followed. Police are seen making multiple passes in broad daylight so these people are fearless."
The video shows the alleged robber casually approaching the victim's vehicle in daylight as police cars drive by on Sunday, May 31. Sgt. Guzman said the video shows the suspect removing a bag with two laptops that were just purchased from the Dadeland Mall Apple and Microsoft stores. He said the victim was followed from the Dadeland Mall.
"They're probably communicating via cell phone and watching out who buys the computer at the Apple store and what they do is follow them from the Apple Store and wait for them to go anywhere to stop and eat. That's when there is the opportunity...These guys look like they have done this several times... This is a crime of opportunity, said Sgt. Guzman.
Authorities say they are looking for a female "person of interest" in addition to a man seen on the video.
Anyone who recognizes the people in the surveillance tape should call Detective Taylor at (305) 663-6312 or Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at (305) 471-TIPS (8477).