Miami Police: Man caught on video burglarizing home, wearing victim's clothing
MIAMI - Police in Miami are searching for a man they say was caught on a home's surveillance system burglarizing the property.
CBS4's Peter D'Oench reports that this is a crime that involves an element that he has not heard of before.
The suspect is captured on camera wearing the victim's stolen clothing before he leaves. The victim said he thought this was weird and did not know why the suspect targeted his home and why he felt he had to leave wearing his clothing. The victim said it happened when he was at work.
It happened on November 1, at approximately 11 a.m. at a home in the 3700 block of N.W. 13 Street.
Police said the man is seen walking passed the front of the house, wearing a black t-shirt, black shorts, black socks, sneakers, a black ball cap, and sunglasses. Minutes later, he is captured on another camera walking around the patio of the home.
Investigators say the man gained entry to the home through a closed, but unlocked bedroom window.
"At approximately 11:55 a.m., a camera inside the home captured the suspect wearing the victim's clothing and exiting the home through the home's front door. A neighbor's camera captured the suspect walking away with the stolen goods," police said.
In total, detectives say the man got away with gold jewelry, colognes, an undisclosed amount of cash, clothes, and other miscellaneous items totaling over $13,500.
Miami Police spokeswoman, officer Kenia Fallat, said, "This case was quite unusual. He was dressed all in black and he walks in to the home when no one was there. Once inside he pretended to be right at home and he left wearing the victim's clothing. It was quite unusual. He started prying windows and doors and found an unlocked window. He took his time."
Fallat said, "He was very brazen. We don't know if he picked this home because there were no cars or he just decided to take his chances. Someone must have seen him and if they can help, we urge them to call us."
The man is said to be between 40 to 50 years old, 5 foot 7 inches to 5 foot 9 inches tall, and weighs around 170 lbs. He was last seen wearing a long sleeve teal shirt, white slacks, and carrying a blue bag.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the Miami Police Department's Burglary Unit at (305) 603-6030 or Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at (305) 471- TIPS (8477).