FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – A 25-year-old man was arrested Tuesday morning in connection with an armed robbery that was reported at the Coral Ridge Mall in Fort Lauderdale.
Authorities identified the suspect as Devonte Black and said they are searching for up to two others who were involved in the robbery at Nouri's Hallmark Shop at 3200 N. Federal Highway.
Surveillance video captured the thieves storming into the store and smashing display cases.
"They knew exactly (where to go). They didn't waste anytime. They've been here before," store owner Nouri Hassan said.
"It's just really overwhelming how low people can actually get," employee Lucia Oro said.
Oro told Local 10 News that Hassan, is like a father to her.
"He's OK. The other employee is OK. That's all that matters," she said.
The video shows Hassan throw a chair at one of the robbers in hopes of scaring them away.
"I tried to slow him down a little bit, and I think they got nervous," Hassan sid.
Police said the men claimed to be armed, but no weapon was ever shown.
Police said the robbers fled the scene in a vehicle after stealing various types of jewelry.
Authorities said officers saw a vehicle matching the description of the getaway car in the 1300 block of East Commercial Blvd and conducted a traffic stop.
Black, who was the only person inside the vehicle, was identified as one of the robbers, police said.
He was arrested and appeared in court, where he was ordered held without bond.
Nouri's Hallmark Shop was targeted last year right before the holidays, when someone drove a car through the front window.
Employees said two years before that, several men robbed the store during business hours.
The owner believes Black and his accomplices got away with about $200,000 in merchandise.
Anyone with information about the others involved in the robbery is asked to call Detective Ryan Ijames at 954-828-5567 or Broward Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS.