Police searching for crook injured in attempted robbery

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (WSVN) -- Police continue their search for a crook who attempted to rob a school, as a witness who may have seen the suspect moments after the crime.

Surveillance cameras were rolling as the masked bandit broke into Charles Wyche Elementary School in Miami Gardens, early last Friday.

According to police, the suspect, who was wearing a black ski mask over his face, was trying to steal copper wires from the school's air conditioning unit. The burglar was equipped with ropes and bolt cutters to aid in the theft.

Surveillance video showed that something went horribly wrong during the burglary. Miami-Dade Schools Police Chief Charles Hurley said, "The subject is on the second story of this elementary school, presumably to steal copper, which is a national problem going on. Boom! You can see the subject just fell from the second story to the first story, tremendous impact."

The suspect can be seen writhing in pain. He tried to walk out of the school, but he fell after he put weight on his injured leg. "He's figuring out what he's going to do. He takes off his ski mask, so he did try to hide his identity," said Hurley. "Now, he's going to try to make it to his feet. He gets to his feet only to fall back down again because of the injury, and then, he low crawls out of the school."

The video then shows the bandit dressed in all black as he slithered on the ground in an attempt to get out of the school. "Clearly not a repel master," Hurley said. "You saw the impact. He fell from the second story all the way down to the ground."

A woman who lives near the elementary school said she believes she saw the suspect crawl away from the scene at around 2 a.m. last Friday, around the time of the burglary. "I just heard dogs barking, and I looked out my front window, and I thought I saw a shadow or somebody crawling on the floor. I thought maybe it was kids doing pranks or something, and then, when I came to look out the front door, he was gone," the neighbor said. "I'm pretty sure the guy came out of the school and kind of came in through this neighborhood."

Police found some rope the suspect left at the scene, but the would-be crook did not get away with any copper. He is still at large. The witness said, "Either he lives around here or maybe someone picked him up."

Authorities are looking for a man who may have a broken right leg and have alerted all area hospitals to be on the lookout for any patients who require treatment from a broken right leg.

If you know of the suspect's whereabouts, call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a reward.

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