Suspected Tool Thief Caught On Camera
DEERFIELD BEACH (CBSMiami) - A man suspected of stealing a power tool was caught on camera by its owner. Now the Broward Sheriff's Office has released that video, hoping someone recognizes him and gives them a call.
It happened Sunday night.
Paulino Mejia Gutierrez told investigators it started when he saw a man walking down the street with a concrete saw.
"The victim in this case had had tools from his home and his truck stolen multiple times in the past few weeks," said sheriff' office spokeswoman Gina Carter. "When he saw a man walking down the street with a concrete saw that looked just like his he rushed home because he knew something was wrong and he was completely correct."
Mejia Gutierrez got home he realized his $1,200 concrete saw was missing from his truck. So he decided to take matters into his own hands.
He began searching for the man and spotted him near the 4000 block of Northwest 3 Avenue. That's when eh pulled out his cell phone and started shooting video of the subsequent confrontation.
Mejia Gutierrez said when he asked about the saw, the man said it belonged to a friend.
"Okay, I got you, I got you," said Mejia Gutierrez.
"I didn't steal nothing," replied the man.
"I like to call the cops right now. I have to call the cops right now."
"Go ahead, I'm going to get my friend."
Mejia Gutierrez said eventually the man confessed.
"He basically said, 'I took it, I took the saw, but please don't call police.' The victim decided to call law enforcement nonetheless, at that point the thief tried to snatch the phone from the victim's hand. He was not able to do so," said Carter.
The man then ran off.
Anyone with information on him is urged to call the Broward Sheriff's Office at (954) 480-4300 or Broward Crime Stoppers at (954) 493-TIPS (8477) or online at browardcrimestoppers.org. Anonymous tips that lead to an arrest are eligible for a reward of up to $3,000.
