Police impersonators rob homeowner

Robbers steal cash, guns from Miramar homeowner

MIRAMAR, Fla.Investigators are looking for four police impersonators who robbed a homeowner in Miramar early Thursday morning.

The robbery happened in the 2000 block of Southwest 117th Avenue about 1:15 a.m.

"Just very nightmarish," said Rick Estrada, the homeowner. "[I'm] about to go to sleep. I get a knock on the door."

Estrada said the foursome was wearing tactical gear.

"They were all in SWAT team outfits with the bulletproof vest with the police on the back," he said.

"They were not wearing the standard police uniform that you see of officers working the road," said Tania Rues with the Miramar Police Department. "However, they were wearing what we describe as tactical gear -- bulletproof vests -- and the police insignia across the vest."

"They tried to tie me up. The guy ties me up -- I didn't let him tie me up totally," said Estrada. "The guy had a gun to my head. He put me on my knees."

The robbers then stole an undisclosed amount of cash, weapons, and other items from Estrada, who suffered cuts to his face and burns on his wrists.

"I had such an adrenaline flow that it could've gone either way for me," he said.

Descriptions of the robbers are:

  • A man who is 5-feet 7-inches tall and heavy set with facial hair.
  • A second man who is 5-feet 9-inches tall with a slim build, dark complexion, and short hair.
  • A third man who is 5-feet 11-inches tall with short, cropped hair.
  • A woman who is 5-feet 5-inches tall with blue eyes, dirty blonde hair, and a medium build.
  • Anyone with information on the robbery is asked to call Broward Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS.