Exclusive: Shoplifters Busted At Gunpoint On Palmetto Expressway
NORTHWEST MIAMI-DADE (CBSMiami) - Dramatic new cell phone video captured by a CBS4 News crew shows a police take down at gunpoint on the Palmetto Expressway of three suspected shoplifters.
The cell phone captured some stunning images as the suspects were seen doubled over a Miami-Dade police car after being ordered to stop their vehicle and get out.
Miami-Dade Police say those suspected shoplifters may have victimized at least four stores. And authorities want to know if they are connected to any other crimes in Broward and Palm Beach counties.
CBS4's Peter D'Oench reported that he and CBS4 photographer Joaquin Garcia came across this developing story as they were getting on the highway.
They saw several Miami-Dade cars passing them. The officers were being called to the scene after the suspected shoplifters silver Toyota minivan was spotted by veteran officer Jorge Arnau.
"We listen to the radios constantly and we heard a BOLO about a vehicle that was northbound that had committed a crime," Arnau told D'Oench.
"So we stopped the vehicle on the Palmetto Expressway per the bolo and the tag it had and we took the subjects into custody," said Arnau.
"This was all in a day's work?" D'Oench asked Arnau.
"Yes," he said.
"How do you feel about what you did here, catching these suspects in this case?" asked D'Oench.
"It's all part of what I enjoy doing," said Arnau.
"Have you ever done anything like this before?" asked D'Oench.
"I've been doing this for 25 years," said Arnau. "I could tell you stories."
As D'Oench and Garcia pulled up to the scene, D'Oench reported that Garcia had the presence of mind to steer the CBS4 live truck with his left hand while using his right hand to take the cell phone video.
On the scene, they discovered the three unidentified suspects in three different Miami-Dade units.
The doors of the minivan were open, revealing several bags of merchandise that may have been stolen.
Miami-Dade Police Detective Roy Rutland told D'Oench that Officers discovered some "booster bags" which have foil lining inside of them. Such bags have been used by shoplifters because the foil lining thwarts the security machines at stores that detect shoplifting.
Rutland said police needed to gather more information from their detectives before releasing more information including the names of the stores that lost merchandise.
Shoplifting is a huge problem nationwide for retailers. And it is a particular concern with "Black Friday" and the start of the Christmas holiday season just eight days away.
