PINECREST, FLA. (WSVN) - Three burglars hit two Pinecrest homes and bragged about the stolen goods on Facebook. In doing so, however, they didn’t realize they gave officials a clue to their investigation.
The crooks posted a video on social media, telling all of their friends that they got away with lots of cash. “We throwing up hundreds,” said one in the video. “Hey [expletive] we got the safe [expletive].”
The trio posted the video with cash in-hand and showed off big smiles, but police said their Facebook post tipped off detectives. “Lo and behold, there was the video of him flashing the hundred dollar bills and saying we got a safe,” said Michelle Hammontree, Village of Pinecrest Communications Manager.
Eighteen-year-old Raderius Collins and 27-year-old Marcus Parker were arrested and charged in two high-end heists. The first theft took place on May 27, when they took off with a safe containing half a million dollars in jewelry from a home on the 13200 block of Southwest 63rd Court.
Another home was also robbed in the 6300 block of 107th Street. The homeowner said she came home to a mess on June 9. “We need to put a stop to this,” she said. “Broken glass on the floor and two exterior doors open.”
Her valuables were gone, but most of her items have been returned. Police, however, still have piles of jewelry in their possession from several crimes. Most of the items were found at Xodium Jewelry and Watch in Southland Mall, where police said the crooks tried to get cash for the stolen items. “The jewelry that they sold was valued at $500,000, but they sold it and got $1,300 each,” said one official.
It probably wasn’t the smartest move, but neither was their Facebook video post. Police said the eight-minute brag session helped investigators connect the crimes to the culprits, but they have one more suspect to find. They’re looking for the guy in the passenger seat.
If you recognize the third suspect, call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a $1,000 reward.
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