SOUTHWEST MIAMI-DADE, FLA. (WSVN) - Burglars broke into a Southwest Miami-Dade cash advance store through its ceiling and made off with thousands of dollars.
According to Miami-Dade Police, it happened early Friday morning, between 3:30 a.m. and 6 a.m. The subjects first broke into the back door of a neighboring Chinese restaurant and managed to make their way into the ceiling. They then crawled until they were able to drop down into the Advance America store, located at 15102 S.W. 72nd St.
Police said high-powered tools were used to drill their way into two safes, which contained $16,000 in cash.
“This mall has existed here, I think over 20 years,” said customer Lizette Campo. “This is the first time that I hear of a robbery that big with that amount of money, so it’s scary to know that they’re just getting in, taking the money.”
The neighboring Chinese store was left a mess, and the owners are now closed for the day to clean up. During the burglary, police said the subjects also broke a water pipe that soaked the Chinese store.
Neighbors in the area are wondering how the subjects managed to get away with the cash. “The community needs to say something,” Campo said. “We need the police to really look out for the neighborhood and see what is going on because it is happening more and more everyday.”
Police are trying to get access to surveillance video footage that may have caught the subjects in the act.
If you have any information on this burglary, 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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