POMPANO BEACH, FLA. (WSVN) - Deputies arrested two men, Friday morning, after reports of overnight burglaries at four businesses across Broward County.
According to the Broward Sheriff’s Office, the two suspects were responsible for burglaries at the National Armory Gun Store in Pompano Beach and a Chevron gas station in Weston. Officials said the duo is also responsible for attempted burglaries at TNT Firearms in Pompano Beach and the Orchard Hardware store in Sunrise.
7News cameras captured members of BSO’s Burglary Apprehension Team taking away the young male suspects in handcuffs in front of a duplex, located at 100 N.W. 27th Ave., in Pompano Beach.
Detectives also provided pictures of a semi-automatic gun, ammo, cash and cigarettes recovered inside the duplex. Deputies also recovered computers and cash registers at the scene of the arrest.
Investigators said the thieves targeted TNT Firearms, near Sample Road and Powerline Road, but the store owner scared them away.
Authorities said, at around 2:45 a.m., both suspects scurried to The National Armory Guns & Range store, located near Northwest 27th Avenue and Atlantic Boulevard, also in Pompano Beach. “They just tore through everything,” said National Armory Guns & Range owner Gary Lambert. “They took cash out of one of the cash drawers that is inside the office, and they took a couple personal guns that belong to one of the employees here, but they didn’t get into the store where the regular guns are kept … they couldn’t get access to it.”
The two reportedly threw spark plugs to break a glass door and gain entry. A silent alarm went off shortly afterwards, which alerted officials.
“Police were right across the street, and they actually saw the guys breaking into the building,” said Lambert. “When they came around the corner, when they saw the police officers on the other side of the canal, they took off burning rubber and shot out of here.”
The burglars also took a hunting rifle and another vintage rifle from the business.
BSO deputies tracked a stolen BMW SUV the subjects were reportedly in to the area of Northwest 27th Avenue and First Street.
One neighbor said she had seen that gray vehicle for a few days. “They got the guns or whatever, but a stolen BMW or whatever that was parked down there for a couple of days or whatever. They finally got it?” said Monique Spellman.
Police said the suspects also targeted the hardware store and the gas station at some point.
BSO officers remained at the duplex where both suspects were found for hours as they continued their active investigation. Neighbors said they’re relieved the suspects are finally behind bars.
Police said they are working to find out if these two suspects are the only ones involved. It is unclear how old they are and what charges they will face. As of late Friday afternoon, detectives have not yet revealed their identities.
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