Exclusive: Fort Lauderdale Police Nab Alleged Pillowcase Thieves
FORT LAUDERDALE (CBS4) - Fort Lauderdale Police say they busted a pair of pillowcase thieves in a neighborhood targeted by burglars.
Fort Lauderdale Police say they arrested James Blue, 19, along with a 14-year-old for breaking into a home, stuffing electronics into a pillowcase and tossing that pillowcase into a nearby trashcan. Police believe the pair was casing homes in the southwestern section of the city, near Davie Boulevard just west of I-95.
Fort Lauderdale Police say they have surveillance video capturing the burglars dumping the pillowcase into a trashcan. Seconds later, the pair is seen knocking on a door before leaving. Police tell us the whole thing got the attention of a neighbor who called investigators. We're told the thieves had a story for what they were doing in the neighborhood.
"They proceeded to tell our officer that they were trying to find jobs for lawn service," said Det. Deanna Greenlaw. "They did not have any lawn equipment on them nor did they have any business cards."
Police say officers did some searching and found a bunch of stolen stuff that belonged to the victim inside a pillowcase. Investigators say they found computers, an iPad and a cellphone, with all the items worth around $2,000. Police say the arrests never would have happened if it hadn't been for some alert residents in the neighborhood.
"This is classic case of residents being aware of the area," Greenlaw said.
Police tell us they believe the juvenile who was arrested has been involved in other crimes in that area. The adult male -- James Blue -- is being held at the Broward County Jail without bond for violating his probation on an earlier charge of robbery with a firearm.
