Armed Crook Still Out There After Violent Home Invasion
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KEY BISCAYNE (CBSMiami) -- Police have released video from a violent home invasion robbery in Key Biscayne in hopes of catching a man deemed extremely armed and dangerous.
Surveillance video from the December 2nd incident shows the gunman breaking into a home on Woodcrest Lane and savagely beating a 48-year-old housekeeper, before setting off a manhunt that forced the lockdown of several schools in the area.
He was seen entering the property holding an envelope and wearing some sort of uniform.
Miami-Dade Police Det. Daniel Ferrin told CBS4's Peter D'Oench, "This individual comes to this home and he is dressed nicely and has an envelope in his hand and he acts like he belongs in this home."
He breaks in, confronts the housekeeper and attacks her violently.
"He starts beating this victim to the point that she ends up in the hospital," said Det. Ferrin. "Basically threatens her life and, remember, he has a gun in his hand at this time. So he's a very violent individual."
He took the woman from one room to the next in a chokehold and then drags her around, striking her repeatedly over a period of several minutes.
The burglar seems more focused on hurting her than taking items.
"And that's why detectives are putting this video out, hoping that somebody knows who this individual is, knows who this person is, has some information where they can call our Crime Stoppers and give that good information to our detectives that are tirelessly trying to work and solve this case and get this person out of our streets before he hurts someone else," Det. Ferrin said.
With black gloves on, he then binds the woman up with tie-wraps and scours the house for things to steal.
"Obviously this is a person that this is probably not the first time that he's done something like this, probably not the first time that he's committed a crime. This is an individual that's out on the streets and he doesn't have good intentions."
The housekeeper was eventually able to free herself and run to a neighbor for help. She was treated for minor injuries.
"This was a person who was not able to defend herself," said Det. Ferrin.
The suspect is a black male, described as tall, thin, and with a beard. If you recognize him, call Crime Stoppers at (305) 471-TIPS. For information that leads to an arrest, there's a $3,000 cash reward for tipsters who wish to remain anonymous.