Police are looking to identify a man who was caught on surveillance video last month swiping cash from a South Miami restaurant in broad daylight, hours before it opened for the day.
The suspect is seen entering Rice Mediterranean Kitchen along U.S. 1 at around 9 a.m. on July 26. He was able to enter the restaurant through an unlocked side door because employees were getting ready for the day.
Surveillance cameras clearly capture the man sneak around the counter, open the register and take the money. He ended up taking around $220 in cash, according to the owner.
"It happened in a minute," Ali Shabani told NBC 6.
Footage also shows a manager confronting the man before he was able to run out.
"When the guy was running out, I said, 'Hey what are you doing here?' and he said, 'No I'm just looking for some water,'" said manager Darwin Escobar. "And I said, 'Yeah but the place isn't open yet, so you have to get out of here.' And he said OK and he ran."
Employees didn't realize anything was stolen until they checked the register about 30 minutes later.
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South Miami police are asking for help in identifying this man.
"The way he acted when he went in the store, he was very comfortable with what he was doing," said police Capt. Larry Corbin. "It's evident that he's probably done this 1-2 times before."
Anyone with information should call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS (8477).
