POMPANO BEACH, FLA. (WSVN) - A group of juveniles broke into a Pompano Beach car dealership and stole an SUV, using it to drive through the gate so they could steal six more cars, the Broward Sheriff’s Office said.
Surveillance video taken at Duca’s Auto Sales, Sunday night, shows the young subjects breaking into the building’s office. One of the juveniles is seen turning on the lights, thus ensuring the crisp footage captures clear images of the entire group.
The perpetrators are then seen stealing iPads and cellphones before taking the keys to every car in the lot.
In all, seven vehicles were taken from the dealership: four Mercedes-Benz models, one BMW, one Acura and one Buick.
Before they left the office, one of the juveniles turned the lights back off.
Business owner Andre Silva learned about the break-in at his shop hours after it happened, when he received a call from police.
An exterior surveillance camera captured the thieves smashing open the gate to the car lot in a Buick SUV.
“They start the car up, reverse it and take it all the way down to the gate,” said Silva.
But it took them two tries before being successful. The footage shows the SUV striking the gate without being able to break it open.
“They had to do it twice because the first time, they couldn’t get it [open],” said Silva.
Another camera shows the SUV heading out to let waiting accomplices into the vehicle. One of them is seen giddily jumping up and down before getting in.
The group of five subjects all appear to be juveniles, with the youngest looking to only be around 9 or 10 years old, much to Silva’s shock.
“I think anybody that sees the video will be like, ‘Young kids, go to school,’” Silva said. “Just go to school. Do something for your life, you know? Why are you gotta go take people stuff?”
BSO said they were able to locate all seven of the vehicles and make three arrests, but the business sustained about $30,000 in damage.
Silva said this is the first time his business has been targeted this way. “It’s a major hit,” he said.
As for the boy caught on video jumping up and down, Silva said, “Ten years old. Just take them to school, keep them in school. That’s what I say, just keep track of your kids.”
If you have any information on this burglary, 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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