A thief stole machines worth about $250,000 from the Coral Gables Podiatry Center, its office manager says.
The brazen grand theft happened in the middle of the day on Sunday, surveillance video shows. The suspect walked in, donned a hat and got to work.
The thief knew exactly what he was looking for, said JP Hernandez, who runs the office on Bird Road near U.S. 1.
He stole three expensive laser machines, three nail filing machines and an ultrasound device.
“When I see something like that it really hits me hard because I feel like this person is trying to take away my livelihood, the livelihood of all the employees here in the office,” Hernandez said.
The suspect also tried to steal a large laser machine that is used for pain management, but he couldn't get it out the door, the video shows.
“Whether he was actually a patient himself that got the treatment or a family member or a friend, but he knew what he was all about,” Hernandez said.
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There are six cameras in the office. One recorded the suspect covering his face, apparently knowing that he was on camera.
Hernandez and the rest of the staff are hoping the next time they see the suspect is in court. Miami Police are investigating.
“I don't personally think that this was somebody within the office that did this,” Hernandez said. “I do believe that it was either a patient or a patient’s family member or friend, and they knew how lucrative the machines are.”
