North Miami Beach

Thieves Target High Tech Auto Shop

A high-quality surveillance video system caught a pair of thieves red-handed as the owner said they made off with his wallet and cell phone in about 10 seconds.

Mike Smith, owner of High-Tech Automotive Shop in North Miami Beach, said the robbery happened as he was briefly distracted helping one of his workers.

“The mechanic called me to turn over the engine for him so he could get the timing corrected,” Smith said. “So I popped out there and I figured 10 seconds, I didn’t even think ever about the door.”

While Smith was outside, the surveillance video shows two men ride up on the bikes and yell for the owner.

“I ignored them because I was busy, just for about 10 seconds,” Smith said, “and when I walked in I realized my phone and my wallet were gone.”

Smith took off after the men and was able to catch up with one of them. The man dropped Smith’s cell phone and took off. But, Smith’s wallet was nowhere to be found. North Miami Beach Police responded to the location, but couldn’t find either of the suspects.

Smith called the men, “scum bag criminals.”

“Catch them, put them away, they deserve it,” Smith said. “You steal, no sympathy.”

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