POMPANO BEACH, FLA. (WSVN) - A 72-year-old woman was robbed of her jewelry after a strong-armed robbery outside a Pompano Beach Wendy’s, last month.
On July 24, a man noticed Margaret Ghee’s gold necklace as he walked into the fast food restaurant on West Atlantic Boulevard and Powerline Road. “As he’s walking into the restaurant, he does a quick double take,” said Broward Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Gina Carter. “He notices a victim standing outside the restaurant, and he notices her gold necklace.”
Security cameras captured crisp images of the subject as he entered the restaurant and walked toward the bathroom. He then quickly exited the restaurant, to lay in wait for his victim.
Speaking to 7News on the phone, Ghee, who was visiting from New York at the time of the mugging, described the disturbing attack. “I walked out of the restaurant, and as I turned around, he grabbed me by the neck and pulled the chain,” she said. “It didn’t come off, so he threw me to the ground.”
The surveillance footage showed the robber on top of Ghee. “He hurt my head. He banged my head into the ground a few times until he got the chain loosened up,” she said.
The video then shows the subject running away.
Ghee said she was totally taken by surprise. “I screamed as loud as I could,” she said.
Detectives describe the robber as a tall young man with a medium complexion and short black hair. He wore a light-colored button-up shirt and dark pants. “This is a young, tall man; this is an elderly, petite victim,” said Carter. “He had no need to use this much force, but he chose to do it.”
Ghee said she sustained bruises on her head and back. “Well, he hurt my head. Then, my back hurt at the bottom of my spine,” she said. “It was hard to sit for a while, so hopefully nobody else gets hurt, and hopefully they catch him.”
If you recognize this man, 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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