Police: Man At Large After Stealing Cop Car
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LAUDERHILL (CBSMiami) – New surveillance video was released of a man who police believe stole a police cruiser and got away.
Cameras rolled as there was a struggle at the door, then a powerful punch to the face. Store clerk Romij Uahamma went down at the Stop and Shop.
"I hope they catch him," said Uahamma.
While the clerk was on the ground, the video shows his sister in law confronting the violent man and then backing off and the beating continues. The clerk was kicked in the head. While he was laying there, the crook went through his pocket and snatched his cash. You can see money and paper flying out of his pockets. Meantime, the clerk was trying to catch his bearings.
"He hit my face and I sense this like half minute..I hit the floor and he took my money and last time he kick my face," said Uahamma.
That's just the beginning of a strange few minutes to follow. Investigators said that same guy seen in the video, somehow got into a Plantation Police cruiser and took off as an officer was trying to catch him.
"The officer got out of his car. There was a brief foot pursuit. The guy ended up doubling back and somehow managed to get in the police car and took off," said Det. Phil Toman with Plantation Police.
"I seen the car coming fast," said Cynthia Holston who saw the crook.as she was driving home. She thought he was an officer in a big hurry to get somewhere.
"He was driving fast like if he could have turned that corner any harder, of 19 and 441, he probably would have ran into the gas station," said Holston.
He wasn't on a call. He was looking for a place to ditch the stolen cruiser. He hopped out at an apartment complex on NW 19th Street near 441 and left pretty quickly. The car was still running when police arrived.
Anyone with information is is urged to call Broward Crimestopppers at 954-493-TIPS.