Video: Thief Takes $5K In Landscaper's Equipment In Broad Daylight
Follow CBSMIAMI.COM: Facebook | Twitter
MIAMI BEACH (CBSMiami) – A cocky crook was caught on video stealing thousands of dollars worth of landscaping equipment from a truck on Miami Beach – and other landscapers may have been targeted, as well.
The victim in this case is speaking exclusively with CBS4's Peter D'Oench and hopes the criminal will be caught.
The landscaping crew was less than 30 yards away as surveillance video captured the theft at 2001 Meridian Avenue.
The thief pulled up in his van, parked next to the landscaper's truck and grabbed lawnmowers, tools and other equipment in the vicinity, totaling about $3,000 worth of stuff.
"He clearly knew what he was doing. He was in and out in about a minute," said landscaper David Dunstan, who wasn't sure if the company was targeted or were just victims of opportunity. "We worked so hard to get that for our livelihood. We worked really hard to get material to continue to work every day and now, all he's done is slow us down. Now we're going from 8 hour days to 12 hour days and it's really disappointing."
Dunstan told D'Oench that he thinks it's likely the thief is pawning the equipment.
"I'm sure. What're most of these guys gonna do with that? He didn't look like he was a landscaper at all," said Dunstan.
Dunstan said the thief also took a backpack blower, three sets of trimmers and weed eaters. He has spoken with Miami Beach police and has filed a report.
"Let's get this guy off the street before he does it to other people," Dunstan said. "It would mean the world to me if he is caught. I tried to be careful and watch my stuff and lock everything up but apparently I was not doing enough."
The victims also believe this same guy is responsible for numerous other thefts against landscapers "around the higher net worth areas of Miami Beach."
If you recognize the guy seen in the video, contact Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at (305) 471-TIPS.