OAKLAND PARK, FLA. (WSVN) - Broward Sheriff’s Office deputies said they have apprehended the man responsible for trying to rip off an ATM inside a convenience store at a gas station in Oakland Park, an incident that was recorded on surveillance video and was part of a crime spree that stretched across Broward County and came to a crashing end.
The security footage captured the suspect, later identified as 39-year-old Mark Barbary, wearing a dark colored hoodie and black jacket as he whacked the ATM repeatedly with a hammer, late Thursday night. He was also holding a pair of pliers.
Moments earlier, he was seen walking inside the convenience store, located at the Mobil station along Northwest Ninth Avenue and West Oakland Park Boulevard, a weapon in each hand and a cigarette in his mouth.
After he hit the machine, Barbary is seen walking over and threatening the clerk on duty. He then came back and tried to pry his way inside the ATM, swinging his hammer several more times.
The clerk on duty said no money was taken, but the suspect caused quite a mess. The employee was able to snap a picture of Barbary before he took off.
No one was hurt.
BSO deputies responded to the scene of the attempted robbery at around 10 p.m. on Thursday.
Investigators said Barbary fled in a black Mercedes-Benz SUV that had been stolen in a carjacking in Davie, earlier on Thursday. They said the same vehicle was used in an armed robbery in Hollywood that took place at around 1 a.m. on Friday.
About 30 minutes later, BSO deputies spotted the SUV near Fort Lauderdale.
Detectives said the deputies tried to pull Barbary over, but he drove off.
Investigators said a pursuit ensued, and it ended when Barbary crashed into a tree. They said the suspect fled on foot but was caught soon after and taken to an area hospital with injuries that were not life-threatening.
Barbary is expected to be taken to jail as soon as he recovers. He faces 16 charges, including armed robbery, burglary to an occupied dwelling, aggravated fleeing with injury and grand theft auto.
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