DAVIE, Fla. – Video shows a masked bandit making his way into a Davie home as a family slept inside.
But the thief didn’t break in: Instead, he had a spare set of keys.
“Things are things. Stuff is stuff. You can get that back,” the homeowner, who didn’t want to be identified, said. “You know, the biggest concern is that, you know, he could have harmed my family.”
The thief then stole the family’s Cadillac Escalade and Mercedes-Benz S580.
“You could see him putting in my key and as he’s turning over his hand, he’s got the key fob to my Escalade in the palm of his hand,” the homeowner said.
He believes those spare keys were in a car that he and his wife had just driven to Hollywood. They had gone out and used a valet.
The case is being investigated and it’s not the only one of cars boosted in the night.
Pinecrest has seen similar crimes.
“There is a group that is paying these young individuals, they’re usually teenagers or in their early 20s, to come into these areas that have high-end cars,” Pinecrest Police Department Chief Jason Cohen said.
The cars are being stripped or shipped away on containers.
The victim is warning others to be careful.
“I encourage anybody else that’s maybe feeling like they’re safe to do another double check and consult with a security professional like we have,” he said. “And I’m more upset that I wasn’t, you know, hearing it and able to act when I should have.”
Police say drivers shouldn’t leave keys in their car, even if they are keys to other vehicles.
Anyone who recognizes the suspect is asked to call Davie police or Broward Crime Stoppers at 954-493-8477.