Police find plate of Re-Store hit and run car

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (WSVN) -- Police think they know who caused a crash that forced a car to slam through the front door of the Habitat for Humanity Re-Store over the weekend.

At the site of the crash scene, investigators found a bumper belonging to a mid-90's green Honda Accord, which, police allege, caused the accident. Attached to it: the car's license plate.

Using that information, police found where the vehicle's registered owner lives and located the car parked outside a high-rise. However, the owner, 52 year-old Faber Carmona, was nowhere to be found. Police have since impounded the car.

By Monday afternoon, the Re-Store had cleaned up and installed hurricane shutters from the store's inventory to fix the gaping hole in the store's front entrance until their door could be replaced.

Though the Re-Store has insurance, the crash hurt the non-profit organization, as they face a $5,000 deductible, unless police charge the driver responsible. "We're trying to do what we can to help those in need in Broward County, and every penny that we have to spend not on our mission is a penny lost," said Jason Crush of Habitat for Humanity.

The Habitat Re-Store sells donated household items at discounted prices. They also sell discounted hurricane supplies, like shutters. Recently, they held a drive for Haiti relief efforts.

Nancy Daly runs the Re-Store and said they were lucky that the store was not opened at the time of the crash. "I'm so grateful it was a Sunday. Sunday's the only day we're closed," she said. "The cash register has been completely removed. The counter and the cash register has shifted, dining room tables overturned."

Surveillance cameras caught the accident as it happened Sunday afternoon. According to the driver of the car that crashed into that building and witnesses, he lost control of his Infiniti after another the green Honda side-swiped him at a nearby intersection, just moments before. "We were excited about the Super Bowl, and now we find out there's a car inside of our store. It's devastating to say the least," said Daly.

Workers cut Infiniti out of the entrance's broken support beams with a chainsaw before towing it away. The green car's bumper was still attached to it.

By noon Monday, the store had re-opened.

If you have any information that can help police find this hit and run accident, 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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