Multiple Law Enforcement Agencies Search for "Ninja" Robber
NORTH MIAMI BEACH (CBS4) - A man who dresses as a ninja is wanted in connection with at least a dozen robberies across South Florida, police said Monday.
North Miami Beach Police said in one case, a man wearing a mask similar to a ninja's, held a female customer at gunpoint while demanding cash from a convenience store clerk.
"He holds people up with no regard for anyone in the store," North Miami Beach Det. Michael Stein said. "(He) points his gun at everybody. He's jeopardizing a lot of lives. This has to stop."
Police believe the same man is responsible for at least twelve robberies across South Florida, from Fort Lauderdale to North Miami.
"In these 12 robberies that we've had to date, he's coming in to the store, he goes right to the cash register," Det. Stein said. "He confronts the cashier at gunpoint."
At the Kwik Stop store on NE 19 Ave. in North Miami Beach, the manager said the same guy has robbed them twice.
"I told the police that two time that it's happened," manager Sanjoy Saha said. "The city getting crazy."
Saha said a man was shot near his store a few weeks ago.
Detectives said the man they are looking for is violent.
In one of the surveillance videos, the robber jumped over the counter, grabbed the register and slammed it to the ground. He grabbed so cash and ran away. The Kwik Stop clerk ran in fear.
The man's face is barely visible in the video, but authorities said they think he is a while male with a stocky build.
Detectives are worried his robbing spree may turn deadly.
"He is getting more brazen and he's getting more violent," Det. Stein said. "Before he kills somebody, or jeopardizes an officer or himself, we'd like for this to stop."
Several agencies are investigating this case, including the FBI, the Broward Sheriff's Office, Fort Lauderdale Police, North Miami Police, and the North Miami Beach Police Department.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at (305) 471-TIPS. In Broward, call, (954) 493-TIPS. All tipsters can remain anonymous.
