Burglars bash cell phone store and leave behind clue

NORTH MIAMI BEACH, Fla. (WSVN) -- Burglars hit the gas to smash and steal from a local cell phone store and caused thousands of dollars in damage.

The burglars were driven to steal from a Verizon Wireless store in North Miami Beach.

Police say at least two crooks targeted the business along Northeast 147th Street and Biscayne Boulevard, using a pick-up truck to break in.

North Miami Beach Police Department Officer Rick Slusher said, "It appeared that the suspects tied some sort of chain or rope to the front door and attempted to rip the door off."

The crooks tried to accelerate the process by tying the rope to the back of the truck and hitting the gas, but when that attempt failed, the burglars just destroyed the store in the process. There was shattered glass scattered throughout the store, and the counters were smashed.

Officer Rick Slusher said, "The suspects decided to drive the truck through the front door, through the front windshield, through the counter and into the business." He adds, "It appears that the truck drove almost, if not all the way inside the lobby area. No regard for property or anything inside," said Slusher.

The crooks took off with some of the store's merchandise and caused more than $40,000 in damage. But in between the mess of this bad call, a possible critical clue was found. The bad guys left behind a piece of the truck and tire tracks.

Police say the vehicle used may have been a black Dodge pick-up truck. The burglars are still on the run.

If you have any information on this burglary, 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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