Customer Ambushed By Knife-Wielding Thief At Hollywood McDonald's
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HOLLYWOOD (CBSMiami) – Shan Lovarson was finishing up some computer work inside a Hollywood McDonald's restaurant on January 31st, when he decided it was time to head home.
The 63-year-old packed up his things and walked to his car.
What he didn't know, Hollywood police said, is that a thief with a long knife picked out Lovarson to victimize.
Hollywood police said surveillance cameras inside the restaurant captured the thief, who was wearing funky sweater, following Lovarson to his car and confronting him.
Lovarson remembers the encounter well.
"He say, 'Give me your wallet because I gonna kill you right now," Lovarson recalled.
Lovarson responded, "Why? Why you gonna kill me?"
Lovarson said the thief responded, "I have to buy food for my kids."
He told the thief, "I'll give you food. I just make shopping."
But the thief wasn't interested in Lovarson's food. He wanted his wallet. Lovarson said the thief had a knife to him that was 10 to 12 inches long.
"It was like a sword," he said.
Lovarson said he thought his life was over.
"A couple seconds more, he gonna kill me," Lovarson said.
But Lovarson – who has been on disability since a major medical issue a few years ago – decided to do something instinctual.
"I punched him," Lovarson said.
After the punch landed, Lovarson ran away. The thief reached inside Lovarson's car and stole Lovarson's bag with a new cellphone, computer and camera inside and got away.
Lovarson hopes somebody turns this guy in and he also says he learned a big lesson in personal safety.
"You have to be careful and see around you," Lovarson said. "When you parking, when people come around you. You have to protect yourself."
If you know who the thief is, Hollywood police want you to call Crime Stoppers at (954) 493-TIPS and turn him in. You do not have to give your name and you could receive a reward.
