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Brazen Rolex Thief, Caught On Airport Camera, Now Caught By Cops

FT. LAUDERDALE (CBSMiami) –The long arm of the law has reached out and grabbed the man caught on camera at Ft. Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport stealing the Rolex a passenger left behind at baggage screening, and that man's arm appeared to have the evidence right on his wrist.

The Broward Sheriff's Office  charged 27-year-old Igor Ramos of Sunny Isles Beach with one count of grand theft after the crystal-clear surveillance video of him looking around, then taking the watch, and casually walking away made him an instant international TV celebrity.

"He said that when he was going into his building in Sunny Isles even the security guard was coming up to him and saying, you're all over TV," said Lt. Brian Montgomery of the BSO. "He thought everyone was joking with him."

The crime took place more than a month ago, after Ramos passed through TSA security at an airport terminal. Video showed him tie his shoes, reach for his personal items from a bin, and then, take notice of a Rolex watch left behind by another passenger.

On the video, he was seen to look around and then casually scoop up the watch and walk away. A second camera showed him appear to put the watch in his bag, and then walk directly under the camera, giving a clear view of his face.

The Broward Sheriff's Office shared the video with the media on Valentines day, looking for tips, but in the end good old fashioned shoe-leather detective work located their alleged thief.

Detectives were able to narrow down the possible flights Ramos took to just a few planes, and armed with his photo, started working the airlines. Late this week, they got a name, then a picture, and then, an address for his job in New York City,

Friday morning, they were able to run down an address for Ramos, and knocked on the door of a very surprised man wearing a Rolex watch. Police believe it is "The" Rolex watch, and arrested him without incident.

WEB VIDEO EXTRA: Police Seek Rolex Thief Caught On Camera

Despite the fact that the video and his photo had been shared worldwide, BSO Spokesperson Keyla Concepcion said Ramos had no idea he had been caught on camera and transformed into a criminal celebrity.

He told BSO he travels a lot between New York and South Florida for his job buying and selling cars, and simply hadn't seen it.

But after the cops arrived, he quickly figured out that he had the watch on borrowed time.

"When we asked him about the watch, he said it was a gift from God," said Lt. Montgomery. "So I guess his gift ran out today"

BSO said Ramos was getting ready to make another trip to New York.

Investigators contacted the owner of the pilfered Rolex, Gloria de Regalado, who said she was happy the alleged thief was caught and her watch, a gift from her husband, was safe and sound.

She spoke with CBS4's Carey Codd over the phone from her home in El Salvador Friday night.

"I have always had the impression anything bad happens in the U.S. justice prevails," de Regalado said.

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