South Miami police on Tuesday released surveillance video of two men investigators say slipped into an unlocked car at Dante Fascell Park on July 8, snatched a wallet, and quickly went on a shopping run with the victim's credit cards at nearby stores. The woman had been jogging at the park around 5:30 p.m., police say, and came back to find her wallet missing. Officers say the footage tracks the suspects between the park and local retailers, and they are asking the public to help put names to the faces.
Police release footage and suspect description
Detectives say the clip clearly shows one of the suspects, described as a heavy-set man in his 50s or 60s wearing a baseball cap, as reported by CBS Miami. Lead Detective Jackie Del Sol told the station the victim began receiving alerts about unauthorized card activity shortly after 6:30 p.m., and investigators believe the pair may have targeted other victims. Police say the images are sharp enough that someone in the community should recognize them, and they are urging anyone with information to come forward.
Where investigators traced the purchases
Detectives traced transactions to an Apple store in Dadeland Mall and to a nearby liquor store; the Apple Dadeland location lists its address on the Apple website as 7535 Dadeland Mall. Dante Fascell Park is listed on the City of South Miami website at 8600 SW 57th Avenue. Anyone with tips is asked to contact the South Miami Police Department at (305) 663-6301 or Miami‑Dade Crime Stoppers at (305) 471‑TIPS, according to the department and the county tipline.
How investigators say the fraud unfolded
Investigators told CBS Miami the suspects tried to ring up about $2,500 in purchases at the Apple store before a $1,285 sale went through. A second man is accused of using a stolen card to buy at least $130 worth of items at the liquor store. "We believe they have done this before. They know exactly how to go straight to the stores," Detective Jackie Del Sol told the station. Police are reminding residents to lock their vehicles and to hide or secure valuables before walking away from their cars.
