Burglars Stole $100,000 Worth of Flat-Screen TVs in Warehouse Heist: Police

The culprits used a sledgehammer to smash a hole through two walls, Fort Lauderdale Police said

Fort Lauderdale Police said they are investigating a burglary in which the culprits smashed a giant hole in two walls, allowing them to steal 90 state-of-the-art flat-screen televisions out of a warehouse.

They pried open a metal shutter to EC Detailing Inc. on NW 51st Place during the early morning hours of Sunday, July 22, then used a sledgehammer to open a cavity through the wall to a storage facility for IAVI Inc., police said.

“Anytime anybody infringes, breaks into your house, your business, anything like that, it’s one of those things where it’s unnecessary, it’s something that shouldn’t be done, it’s just something that we don’t need around here,” said Michael Arencibia, who is in charge of the warehouse.

In surveillance video, the two suspects can be seen making their first pass outside the IAVI warehouse near Commercial Boulevard and Powerline Road – not wearing bandanas. On their second pass they are wearing them, and one suspect climbs onto an air conditioning unit and disarms the camera.

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They first broke into the neighboring business, then used the sledgehammer to make the hole.

“That takes multiple hours to get through not just one barrier wall but actually two concrete walls between the businesses. That's some serious determination and a very well thought-out plan,” said Fort Lauderdale Police Det. Deanna Garcia.

Investigators said two white vans were used as getaway vehicles that hauled off about $100,000 worth of TVs in the heist.

A couple of metal plates now cover the hole the suspects made.

“We just want these guys caught and taken care of. We are offering a $5,000 reward to any information leading to the arrest of any of these guys, and we look forward to seeing what anybody has,” Arencibia said.

Authorities ask anyone with information on the case to call Detective Matthew Finstad at 954-828-6559.

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