SUNRISE, FLA. (WSVN) - A New Year’s Eve scare that sent shoppers running out of Sawgrass Mills Mall was all a distraction so a thief could steal a watch, police said.
Reports of gunfire at the Sunrise shopping center triggered panic among shoppers on Sunday. Officers quickly determined that someone had set off a firework.
Investigators said the firework was actually a diversion, and the thief ran off with a watch in the ensuing chaos.
“That is just the way South Florida is,” said one shopper. “What are gonna do? It’s total craziness.”
The mall was evacuated but later reopened.
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