BSO Captures Alleged Birthday Bandit
LAUDERDALE-BY-THE-SEA – (CBSMiami) – An accused bandit celebrating his 38th birthday attempted to treat himself to someone else's stuff, the Broward Sheriff's Office said.
But authorities were able to catch up with suspect Gregory Dobbs hours after a pool serviceman reported seeing him rummaging through his pick up truck.
The incident unfolded at 6 a.m. October 28th. That's when 61-year-old Morris Schwarz, an employee of Crystal Clear Pools, noticed someone climbing into his truck as he cleaned a pool at 1441 S. Ocean Blvd. in Lauderdale-By-The-Sea.
Schwarz ran toward Dobbs and managed to catch up to him. When Schwarz confronted the alleged thief, he begged him not to call police for two reasons: it was his birthday and his mother was coming into town.
Then Dobbs managed to escape Schwarz's grasp, but left behind shreds of his shirt and one of his flip-flops.
When BSO arrived, Dobbs could not be found. Off-duty deputy Charles Pickell recognized the description of the suspect and showed Schwarz a photo line-up. From those photographs, Schwarz pointed to Dobbs' picture.
When police caught up with Dobbs, he was leaving his home to attend his birthday dinner. Police were also able to confirm that his mother did arrive into town. Dobbs' dinner ended up taking place at the Broward Sheriff's Office Main Jail. Police say Dobbs confessed to the crime.
