Burglars Bolt From SW Dade Jewelry Store Break In
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MIAMI (CBSMiami) - A sophisticated security system helped thwart a jewelry store burglary in southwest Miami-Dade overnight.
Around 3 a.m., two people armed with a concrete saw cut a two foot by two foot hole in the roof at Leon Jewelry located in a strip mall on Miller Drive at 94th Avenue.
When the store's owner heard something suspicious coming from the security system monitor in his home he called the police to report a break in.
"We have an alarm system and we can listen from the house what's going on inside the store, that's why we are here right now," Heriberto Leon told CBS4's Silva Harapetian.
Police say the burglars cut through about four inches of concrete and were able to get into the store's attic, but not into the store itself. They believe arriving officers scared them off.
With guns drawn, Miami-Dade police searched for the suspects but came up empty. They did, however, find a van in the area with more power tools. The tag on it didn't match the vehicle so police had it towed to an impound lot.
"Oh my God it's in my neighborhood, it's scary," said Maria Barona. "I can't believe it."
Investigators believe they used a shopping cart to reach the ladder which got them access to the roof.
"They walked inside (the attic space) and cut the line because we don't have any internet or any communication or phones," said Jose Rivera who works next door at a Dollar Tree store.
Rivera said when he arrived for work, he found the ceiling tiles that the would be burglars broke as the made their way in the attic space past his store to the jewelry store.
Leon said he has a theory about the break in.
"This is the third time, I believe it's the same people too."
"Wow, they study what happened before before so they know what they have to do," said Rivera.
Anyone with information on the would be burglars is urged to call Crime Stoppers at (305) 471-TIPS.
