DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA. (WSVN) - Authorities are searching for two would-be crooks who, they said, tried to steal a pricey forklift from a Deerfield Beach business.
According to the Broward Sheriff’s Office, the suspected robbers presented fake documents on May 19 to the owner of the $10,000 forklift at Crawford Tracey Corp., near 3301 SW 11th Drive.
“They wore work vests, they wore hard hats, they had fake work orders,” said BSO spokesperson Gina Carter. “They were really trying to disguise themselves as legit.”
When they quickly backed up a tow truck and began hooking the forklift to it, investigators said an employee realized something was suspicious about the men and their paperwork.
The employee, who asked not to be identified or show his face on camera, said he felt something wasn’t right about these men. “Suddenly [there was] something strange, because usually the tow guys, they wear the mechanic uniforms, and these guys wear the construction uniforms,” he said.
The quick-thinking engineer then called his supervisor to see if the forklift pickup had been scheduled. When he told the subjects the piece machinery wasn’t supposed to leave the premises, they just continued to load it.
“[I said] ‘Hey, guys, what are you doing?’ And they said, ‘Oh, we got a phone call from your company, and then we’re actually going to tow it,'” said the employee.
Shortly after being questioned, one of the subjects allegedly flashed the fake documents once more before the subjects dropped the forklift on the ground and fled.
The employee chased after the fleeing men, trying to get a look at their license plate number, but was unsuccessful.
Detectives continue to search for the two men described as Hispanic. One of the men is heavy-set and wore khaki pants, a white shirt and hardhat. The second thief, police said, has a medium build and wore khaki shorts, a long-sleeved orange shirt and white hardhat.
Surveillance cameras also captured a suspicious red station wagon in the area that police believe was involved.
Meanwhile, the employee said his supervisor praised him for going the extra mile. “Thank God I’m safe, and he appreciated what I did,” he said.
If you have any information on this attempted robbery, 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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