LAUDERHILL, FLA. (WSVN) - Newly released surveillance video shows the moments a Lauderhill smoke shop experienced a break in and burglary.
The break-in happened at around 1:50 a.m. last week on Tuesday near North University Drive in Lauderhill.
Footage revealed three people standing outside the store before one of them smashes the front window with a brick. Two of them rushed into the store as the third person biked away.
The pair grabbed multiple products from behind the counter and shoving them into their pockets. They then exited the store with the stolen merchandise and fled the area.
Based upon the video, the suspects appear to be two young black males, wearing hoodies at the time of the incident. One male wore a light blue hoodie, black sweatpants, and black flip-flops. The other suspect wore a black hoodie, black short pants with strips along the sides, black tights under the shorts, and black and white flip-flops.
A store employee told 7News he believes the subjects had come into the store earlier to scope it out. He said the subjects stole between $1,000 and $1,500 worth of items.
On Tuesday, 7News spoke to the store’s owner Reef Lakhani.
“When you’re looking at these kids and the age of these kids, it’s Tuesday, it’s 2 a.m., you’re throwing bricks through windows to pick up rolling papers,” Lakhani said.
Lakhani says the images of the kids breaking into his smoke shop are heartbreaking.
“To be hit like that over something so stupid. It just hurts a lot,” said Lakhani.
Tuesday marks the ten year anniversary of his business, but last week’s break in was a first.
Lakhani said he wants those kids to be held accountable and hopes they can learn a lesson from it going forward.
“Community service, structure in the home, whatever it takes to get these kids to not go on a path, a career path that’s filled with violence and crime,” he said.
He said he forgives them and wants them to make better choices.
However, police said it is still a crime and the subjects will face several charges once they are caught.
Lauderhill Detectives urge that if you or anyone you know recognize the subjects in the video to please contact the Lauderhill Police Department at 954-497-4700 or Broward County Crime Stoppers at 954-493-8477 (TIPS).
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