Police search for crafty robber

MIAMI (WSVN) -- A robber made off with cash and cigarettes after breaking into a Miami restaurant through the roof.

Surveillance video captured a man ransacking the main office of Caribe Restaurant along Northwest Seventh Street and 39th Court at 3 a.m. Friday. "There are a lot of cameras, in fact, the offender did get captured on camera," said Miami Police Major Jorge Martin. "A perfect image has been displayed."

Owner Juan Alvarado said the alarm never sounded when the crook broke into his restaurant, likely because the thief crouched below the motion sensors. The crook also used a towel to open one of the doors to an office, where items were stored. "The offender made his way to the kitchen area, in a low crawl and then he goes and makes his way to some petty cash items," said Martin.

Police said he came in through the roof, rummaged around and took off with $600 in cash and more than $2,000 worth of cigarettes. "Cigarettes and some other miscellaneous items," said Martin.

For 30 minutes, the crook loaded numerous cartons of cigarettes into a bag and then escaped through a side door.

This is the second time this owner has had his restaurant burglarized. Back in November, a thief broke into Alvarado's other restaurant on 71st Avenue and Flagler Street.

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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