DANIA BEACH, FLA. (WSVN) - A frightened 12-year-old came face to face with a home burglar when he was home alone in Dania Beach. Thankfully, what his mother taught him potentially saved his life.
According to the Broward Sheriff’s Office, a heavy set man was captured on surveillance footage using a kitchen window to break into a Dania Beach home.
But what makes this story so terrifying is that a 12-year-old was home as the burglar snatched a laptop, jewelry, computer equipment and even passports. “This is every parent’s worst nightmare,” said Gina Carter of the Broward Sheriff’s Office.
The boy’s mother, who was too afraid to show her face, is still in shock. “You feel violated,” she said. “It’s hard up to this day.”
She said her son was in his bedroom watching television when he heard someone knocking on the front door. Because he was taught to never open the door to strangers while no one is home, he didn’t answer the door.
But then he heard a noise in the backyard.
The noise he heard was the alarm panel, which signaled that the kitchen window was open. In the surveillance video, you can clearly see the man, who was wearing a long white shirt and baggy pants, enter the home through the window.
Once the boy saw the man, he ran to the bathroom, where the burglar told him to stay there.
When the boy felt it was safe, he dialed 911.
Luckily, the boy was not harmed, but the home burglar took off with about $1,000 worth of valuables and has yet to be caught.
Now, the Broward Sheriff’s Office hopes someone can identify the burglar. “The video is very clear,” said Carter. “We’re hoping someone will recognize this guy.”
“I’m very jumpy myself in my house,” said his mother, “which it shouldn’t be that way.”
It is important to run through emergency scenarios with your kids when you start leaving them home alone, just like this family did.
If you have any information on this home burglar, call Broward County Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a $3,000 reward.
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