SOUTHWEST MIAMI-DADE, FLA. (WSVN) - A surveillance camera captured a group of thieves, with a young girl in tow, burglarizing a dozen cars in Southwest Miami-Dade.
Surveillance footage shows the group of thieves in hoodies pulling up on Southwest 42nd Terrace, near 152nd Court. “I say unbelievable,” said Julio Potestad. “This happening in my neighborhood? Unbelievable.”
Potestad’s cameras captured one theft, which took place around 1 a.m., Wednesday. “They started trying to open the cars and stealing the things inside the cars,” Potestad said.
However, what may be more alarming is the young girl in a blue shirt who appears to be assisting in the burglary. “The fact that a little kid was used to commit this crime is very disturbing,” said neighbor David Arencibia.
Arencibia said this is not the first time something like this has occurred on his street. He said the subjects didn’t get much from his car. However, one of his neighbors, Andrew Merschel, did not fare as well. The video shows two of the subjects driving away in Merschel’s wife’s new car.
“It is disturbing. It’s really bothersome. I don’t feel comfortable, now, where I’m at,” said Andrew Merschel. As soon as I walked outside, I noticed it missing, and obviously, in your mind, you’re like, ‘This isn’t right.'”
For some neighbors, seeing the little girl being used for such a purpose was heart-wrenching. “It’s heartbreaking, truly, it’s heartbreaking,” said Liz Sendon. “Having children, it just felt horrible.”
Residents of the neighborhood met Thursday night to discuss starting a crime watch program. “Everyone has different footage, different angles, and we’re hoping that the police puts it all together and gets these people that are involved in this,” said Sendon.
While the search continues, the neighbors want to find out who the girl is and make sure she’s safe.
“Anything could happen, especially in the middle of the night,” Arencibia said. “You hear a noise outside, you don’t know what it is, you can be scared, somebody can have a gun and use it, and if it’s a 10-year-old kid, it’ll be very tragic.”
If you have any information on this burglary, call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a $1,000 reward.
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