Cell phone store burglaries share striking similarities

CORAL GABLES, Fla. (WSVN) -- Police have released the surveillance footage of a robbery at a local cell phone store as they continue their investigation of a string of similar robberies across Miami-Dade County.

The video captured five masked men breaking into the Verizon store on 2201 Ponce de Leon Boulevard after smashing the front door with a hammer. The alleged robbery, the latest in a string of related incidents targeting local cell phone stores, took place last Friday at around 5 a.m.

Once the door was broken, the alleged robbers ran inside and proceeded to take tablets and cell phones. According to the video, the perpetrators were in and out of the store in 44 seconds. A black Dodge pickup truck was seen taking off near the scene of the heist.

In another burglary in North Miami Beach last Saturday, a black Dodge pickup truck was captured by surveillance cameras slamming into the showroom of the Verizon showroom at 14744 Biscayne Boulevard.

The crash happened with such force that the vehicle hit the checkout counter. The thieves in this case stuffed their jackets with several cell phones, then drove away.

In West Miami-Dade last Friday, thieves used a truck to smash into the Sprint store on Flagler Street and Northwest 87th Avenue. The crooks got away with two iPhones and two iPads used for demonstrations.

In the Coral Gables robbery, surveillance video captured clear images of two of the partially masked burglars. If you have any information on these individuals or these robberies, call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a reward.