LAUDERDALE LAKES, FLA. (WSVN) - Deputies are asking for the public’s help in locating a man who was caught on camera robbing a convenience store in Lauderdale Lakes and attacking the clerk who tried to stop him.
Broward Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to the 19th Street Food Stop, located in the area of Northwest 19th Street and 38th Avenue, on July 24.
Employees identified the subject as a frequent customer. Investigators said he’s known around the neighborhood by the nickname “Pitbull.”
The newly released surveillance footage shows the subject, seen wearing a V-neck shirt, walking into the store while carrying a black bag.
After looking around for other people, Pitbull could be seen climbing over the counter.
Store clerk Morgan Lefevre said she couldn’t believe this store regular suddenly turned into a robber.
“He looked like he was shocked, like scared,” she said.
Lefevre said she could sense something was wrong.
“I heard like a noise, so when I looked back, I peeked my head out, he was already jumping around the counter,” she said.
The security footage shows the employee running up to Pitbull and trying to get him to leave the area behind the counter.
“I was coming to him, and I was like, ‘You’re not supposed to be back here,'” said Lefevre.
But the clerk said Pitbull pushed her away and continued to move toward the cash register.
“He went over toward the back, over there to the left, to go to get the Lotto drawer,” said Lefevre.
As the employee confronts Pitbull and tries to get him to leave, the footage shows him pushing her away and grabbing a money pouch from under the register.
“I pushed him ’cause that’s the government people’s [money], so I wasn’t going to let that get took,” said Lefevre, “so he started hitting me and pushing me, and he had — I don’t know what he hit me with, but right here [in my neck] was like burning and stuff. All right here was red and hurt and swollen.”
Despite the bumps and bruises, Lefevre continued trying to prevent Pitbull from stealing the money.
“I mean, I was a little scared,” she said. “He had something in a bag. I didn’t know what it was. That could have been my life. ”
The footage shows the employee chasing after the robber and he fled from the store.
Lefevre said her boyfriend chased the man down the street and hit him with a rock but headed back to the store after he saw Pitbull was around other people believed to be his friends.
Authorities said Pitbull is between 20 to 30 years old and of Haitian decent.
He stands approximately 5 feet, 9 inches tall and has a stocky build with a slight belly.
The clerk said Pitbull has previously asked for employment at the store.
“He’s a regular. He comes here almost like every day, but I haven’t seen him in a while,” she said. “People said he moved, so that’s probably why, ’cause his mom comes here all the time to play Lotto, but I haven’t seen the mom, either.”
The owner of the 19th Street Food Stop said Pitbull grew up in the neighborhood, adding she even has his phone number.
If you have any information on this convenience store 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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