Jensen Beach, Fla. (WJW) – Authorities in Florida are searching for a suspect who investigators say carried out an elaborate robbery this week that stole thousands of dollars worth of shoes from a Martin County shopping mall.
The suspects reportedly broke through the concrete roof of the Treasure Coast Mall and entered the Champs Sporting Goods store between midnight and 8 a.m. Tuesday, according to the Martin County Sheriff’s Office. Investigators said the suspects stole hundreds of pairs of Nike shoes, stuffed them into bags and loaded them into a getaway vehicle parked outside before leaving the scene.
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The sheriff’s office shared photos of the scene, showing a square hole in the roof and several black garbage bags and shoe boxes left behind.
“These thieves knew what they were doing. They knew what they were after. They were after high-value shoes: Nike, New Balance, Air Jordan Nike,” Martin County Sheriff John Budensiek said at a news conference this week, estimating the value of the stolen sneakers to be at least $40,000 to $50,000.
Budensiek added that there were no early indications that the robbery was an “inside operation,” but confirmed that the thieves targeted a storage room at the back of the Champs store, rather than the front, where customers typically shop.
“We’ve seen several attempted rooftop jewelry thefts here in Martin County, but it’s been a while,” the sheriff told a reporter when asked if this was the first robbery of this type for the department. “But for an individual or a group of individuals to break in and steal, and I’m talking about shoe boxes, 400 to 500 shoe boxes, that’s a feat in itself.”
He said if the thieves are caught, they could face charges of grand larceny and grand larceny.
Authorities are also asking the public to call the Sheriff’s Office at 772-220-7060 to report any suspicious activity they may have seen near the mall Tuesday morning. Tipsters can also call Treasure Coast Crime Stoppers at 1-800-273-TIPS.
”[It’s] “While they may not match the Crown Jewels, it’s clear that the sneaker thieves put the same amount of time and effort into their crimes. Now it’s our detectives’ turn to track them down,” the sheriff’s office wrote on Facebook, referring to the jewelry stolen from the Louvre in Paris over the weekend.
