LAUDERDALE LAKES, FLA. (WSVN) - Broward Sheriff’s Office Robbery Unit detectives are seeking the public’s help in identifying a man who dressed as a security guard and robbed a cellphone store at gunpoint in Lauderdale Lakes.
According to BSO, the incident took place on July 22 at a Mobile One store located at 3680 W. Oakland Park Blvd., at around 11:49 a.m.
Since the incident, the store has implemented new rules, such as no masks or guns allowed inside the store. They also added plywood and raised their merchandise counter for safety reasons.
Surveillance video showed the suspect arriving in a blue four-door sedan with plastic on the rooftop and damage to the hood.
The suspect was seen wearing a gray security guard uniform as he entered the cellphone store.
Before the robbery, the suspect was seen trying to sell his phone to an employee and then stated that he was interested in buying a new phone instead.
Once the employee opened the shelf door where phones for sale are displayed, detectives said, the suspect took out his handgun and pointed it at the victim’s face.
“That was when the subject drew his handgun with his right hand — pointing it at the victim,” said Broward Sheriff’s Office deputy Claudinne Caro, “and with his left hand, give him a gray bag and demands that he puts all the cell phones in that bag.”
He was later seen fleeing the scene in his vehicle, taking around 14 phones that are worth nearly $7,000.
Neighboring businesses have been on high alert since the incident happened.
“It could have been us,” said a neighboring business employee Amber Jones. “I know I would have been scared.”
Workers at World Famous called the incident surreal, especially knowing the same thing could have occurred to them.
“We never honestly want to be in a situation like that because, you know, I have a family that’s looking forward to me coming home everyday,” said Jones. “It’s crazy it even happened to anyone.”
If you have any information on this robbery, contact detective Mark Copley at 954-321-4738 or Broward County Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a reward of up to $5,000.
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