FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. (WSVN) - Authorities are seeking the public’s help in locating a man who was caught on camera robbing a blood bank near Fort Lauderdale at gunpoint, earlier this month.
Surveillance video of the March 3 armed robbery was released on Thursday. According to the Broward Sheriff’s Office, the armed robbery took place at Continental Blood Bank, located near West Broward Boulevard, at 10:36 a.m.
“He came in really quick, really fast,” said employee Daphne Johnson. “He fidgeted around. My guess, he was looking for his weapon.”
Employees and two donors were inside the blood bank at the time of the robbery.
Detectives said a man walked up to the front desk, pushed aside a blood bank client and pointed a gun at employees. The armed man, police said, then demanded money and told employees, “I’m hungry.”
“He got the gun out. He pushed one of the donors out of the way and he said, ‘Give me the effing box. Give me the money. I’m hungry,'” Johnson said.
A cash box was handed over to the armed robber, and he fled the scene with the money. “They was standing in the front,” said employee Chanel Collier. “A man came in with a mask and came straight to the door. He came to them with the gun like this and asked for the box, which is where we keep the money.”
Employees said they believe the robber was previously a customer because he knew what to ask for and where the cash was kept.
The victims told 7News they feel unsafe until this subject is caught. “Everyone was shaken up. They’ve never had that happen to them before, so it was pretty scary,” Collier said.
Johnson and her co-workers said they just handed over the cash box because their lives were more important. “You come to work. You don’t necessarily come to get robbed,” said Johnson. “You just want to work and get home back to your family safe. You made it here in one piece; you want to get back in one piece.”
According to BSO detectives, the man stands 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighs between 160 and 180 pounds. The masked subject was wearing a red Iron Man hoodie, a black T-shirt and dark-colored pants.
If you have any information on this armed robbery, 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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