Authorities locate injured attempted robber

MIAMI (WSVN) -- A would-be robber who was wounded during a school burglary has been captured by police, thanks to tips from several 7 News viewers.

On Friday, police located 21-year-old Anthony Pepitone, who is accused of breaking into an elementary school to steal copper wires from the rooftop of the school.

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

According to authorities, Pepitone was on the second story of the building when he suddenly fell to the first floor. The video showed the burglar as he tried to get up and walk, only to fall shortly thereafter. The suspect can be seen slithering out of the school, clearly in pain. "Clearly not a repel master," said Miami-Dade Schools Police Chief Charles Hurley.

Police released the surveillance video in hopes that they would capture the attempted robber.

Early Friday, 7 News viewers contacted the authorities and informed them of Pepitone's whereabouts. Hurley said, "Tipsters did the right thing, and they called Crime Stoppers, and they called, in this case, Channel 7."

The tips led police to a home in North Miami, where officers found the bolt cutters used in the attempted robbery, along with "U.S. currency, we recovered some weapons, some ammunition, some marijuana," Hurley said. "We recovered scales that we believe were used to weigh the drugs, and also, lots of drug paraphernalia."

Hurley continued, "The tip was very, very critical in getting the investigative team pointed in the right direction."

Authorities also found a receipt from a pawn shop for $3,000 worth of copper cables inside the home.

Police said that Pepitone somehow got himself to Jackson Memorial Hospital, where sources say he is receiving treatment for a broken back and ankle.

The 21-year-old suspect has reportedly confessed to a slew of other copper thefts at schools across Miami-Dade County.

Pepitone is facing eight counts of burglary, and he may likely face even more charges.

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