NORTHWEST MIAMI-DADE, FLA. (WSVN) - The manager of a car inspection business in Northwest Miami-Dade is hoping the public will help police catch the trio of crooks who, she said, were caught on surveillance video breaking into the property before they stole two vehicles.
The determined men jumped over two fences before entering 32nd Ave Rebuilt Inspections at the corner of Northwest 87th Street and 32nd Avenue through the back door, at around 4:45 a.m., Monday.
The manager, Angie Cortes, showed a 7News crew where the burglars entered the business.
“They jumped the fence. They were able to get through this, and they destroyed this whole thing to get in,” she said as she pointed to the broken back door.
In the video, a shirtless man could be seen rummaging around the office with a shirt over his head, while another covered his face with what appears to be a light-colored handkerchief.
However, cameras captured a clear image of the third subject, who did not cover his face.
Cortes said the crooks first had their eyes on a safe.
“They brought the safe all the way to the door,” she said.
However, Cortes said, it was too much for them to handle.
“They tried to open it, but they couldn’t. They tried to lift it. I guess they couldn’t do it,” she said.
Instead, they grabbed a pair of keys.
Since the business inspects rebuilt vehicles, they have several parked outside.
Two of them are now missing.
Cortes said the crooks also took a digital video recorder holding surveillance video from the outdoor cameras.
“They ripped off this camera, which is where we got the footage of one of them,” said owner Angie Cortes. “They got a key from two of our cars.”
Miami-Dade Police detectives came to the business Monday morning to investigate and collect evidence. They are now searching for a white 2019 Nissan Maxima and a black 2016 Honda Civic, along with the three crooks.
Cortes believes the surveillance video holds the key to cracking the case.
“It’s scary. It’s very scary that they just come and invade your property like that,” said Cortes. “Now we don’t feel safe at all. We have a lot of security, and they were able to break in.”
If you have any information on this break-in, 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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