Surveillance cameras were rolling on a quiet Fort Lauderdale street Monday afternoon as a thief climbed into a white Bentley parked outside a home and sped off with more than just a luxury ride. Inside the car, according to neighbors and police, was Coco, a six-month-old small black poodle mix, along with the vehicle’s key fob.
The grab happened around 2:45 p.m., when a dark sedan pulled up behind the Bentley on the 2700 block of Northeast 19th Street. Home security footage shows someone wearing a dark top and white pants getting out of the sedan, sliding into the Bentley’s driver’s seat, and taking off. The car was last seen heading south on the 1100 block of Bayview Drive.
As reported by Local 10, officers say Coco was inside the vehicle when it was stolen, and that the Bentley’s key fob had been left in the car. The vehicle is described as a white Bentley Continental with Florida license plate RSS-D40.
Police response and how to tip
Fort Lauderdale police are investigating and urging anyone who saw something, or who has video from the area, to come forward. Broward Crime Stoppers lists its anonymous tip line as 954-493-TIPS and also accepts encrypted online submissions.
A pattern of bold luxury-car thefts
The theft fits into a broader pattern of bold luxury-car hits across South Florida, where high-end vehicles have been plucked from driveways and valet stands in a matter of minutes. For instance, WSVN reported a June 2024 case in which several luxury vehicles were taken from a Fort Lauderdale property in under three minutes.
Protecting pets and your keys
Leaving animals alone in vehicles can put them in danger and make them easy targets when thieves strike. Safety experts urge owners not to leave pets unattended in cars and to take key fobs or keys with them every time they step away from a vehicle.
Investigators are still reviewing surveillance footage and canvassing the neighborhood. Anyone with information is asked to contact Fort Lauderdale police or reach out to Broward Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS.
