Cops Search For Burger King Bandit
MIAMI (CBSMiami) – Miami-Dade police are hoping to get a lead on Burger King bandit who they suspect robbed two of the fast food chain's restaurants Monday night.
On surveillance video from a restaurant in the 1300 block of NW 20th Street an employee is seen walking to the drive-thru window to hand a customer two drinks when an armed man pushes his half way through the window. As he points the gun at her, she jumps back. The armed man, who was dressed in black and wearing a red and white skull cap, then reaches into the register, grabs a handful of cash and runs off.
A woman, who did wish to be identified in this report, said she was in her car with her two children waiting for their order and saw the whole thing.
"I was in the drive-thru when it all occurred," she said. "A gentleman just ran up and threw himself in the window and said 'Give me all the money, open the (expletive) register'."
Just a few feet from the armed man, the woman said she was terrified and her instincts just kicked in.
"I just pulled off. I put the car in drive and just pulled off," she said.
Police believe the robber drove off in an older model dark Toyota Camry.
A short time later, a second Burger King at NW 36th Street and 27th Avenue was robbed in the same manner and police suspect it was the same guy but have not officially confirmed that.
"Some guy came to the window and asked for all the money. He pulled out a long gun, like a big gun. He like pointed it at the cashier's head at the window," said employee Jermesia Dixon.
Dixon said she didn't get a good look at him, on purpose.
"I wasn't trying to look at him, I just left. I didn't want to see all that," said Dixon. "I was nervous, like I had to go."
"Everybody just ran to the back because he was standing by the window so everybody thought he was going to come in," said an employee who did wish to be identified in this report. "Everybody just ran to the back."
Tuesday morning both 24 hour drive-thru windows were back in business.
"It's very scary, you have to watch out and look around. Make sure there's nobody creeping up on you," said Maggie Martin as she waited in line.
"I'm always looking, always looking, you never know," said Lourdes Valdivia.
Police will not say if the two armed robberies were connected, but they say there were similarities and they've only released one suspect description. Police believe the gunman is a black man who was last seen wearing a partial facial mask, a burgundy hoodie and a backpack.
Anyone with information about the robbery or the suspect is urged to contact Miami Dade Crimestoppers at (305) 471- TIPS.
