Fort Lauderdale police are searching for a man accused of two recent armed robberies. The first robbery occurred on the morning of May 22 at a church on Southeast 3rd Avenue when the man allegedly menaced a woman with a knife and stole her purse. A police representative said that the man then ordered the woman to get under her car as he fled from the scene. Police have distributed a sketch of the man based on a description that the woman provided.
The second alleged robbery occurred on the morning of May 29. The second victim, also a woman, claims that the man grabbed her around the waist and threatened her with a knife, again demanding her purse. The second incident occurred on the 600 block of Southeast 2nd Street. Police believe that the same man may be responsible for both robberies.
If police are able to identify the man responsible for one or both of the alleged robberies, he will likely face felony charges of armed robbery. Armed robbery is considered a felony in the first degree in Florida; punishments vary based on an offender’s criminal history, but even a first offense is punishable by up to 30 years imprisonment and a fine of up to $10,000.
Individuals facing similar charges may wish to retain a criminal defense lawyer given the severity of the potential penalties. A criminal defense lawyer may be able to argue that the defendant should face reduced charges or may be able to arrange a plea deal with the district attorney.
Source: CBS Miami, “Police Search For Fort Lauderdale Armed Robber“, Maggie Newland, June 13, 2014
