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Suspected Cell Phone Thief Nabbed In Buy Back Deal

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FT LAUDERDALE (CBSMiami) - A robbery suspect who reportedly tried to sell back something he stole to its owner has learned that it was not exactly a great idea.

Antonio Murray faced a judge for the first time Tuesday.

"Mr. Murray you're charged with robbery with a weapon," the judge said.

He's accused of robbing a 21-year-old man at knifepoint just hours after ringing in the new year.

It happened at about 3:30 a.m. in the quiet Sailboat Bend Neighborhood - just a few blocks from the Himmarshee Village entertainment district.

Murray is accused of grabbing the man's cell phone, insulin pump and debit card and then riding off on a bicycle after getting the victim's pin.

The case then takes an odd twist.

The victim's father sent a text to the stolen phone asking for the insulin pump back.

That's when he got a call offering to sell it back for $150. They planned to meet at the Walgreens at 7th Avenue and Broward Boulevard. The victim and his dad did not show up alone.

Police were there too, taking 32-year-old Murray into custody and charging him with robbery with a weapon.

But he's not getting out of jail anytime soon. He was out on bond for a grand theft charge when he was accused of pulling off the robbery.

"I'm revoking your pretrial release," the judge ordered. "I find probable cause that, while out on pre-trial release, there's probable cause to believe you committed another criminal offense."

Investigators say Murray told them several stories about why he had the victim's property but police didn't believe any of them. He was arrested and booked after showing up in the parking lot after the victim's father got his attention with a text.

"We don't have the brightest criminals down here," mused Adolfo Herrera. "You have to suspect the police are going to show up."

Murray is being held in the Broward jail with no bond.

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