Women using stroller to try to steal from Best Buy fail miserably, police say

In failed attempt to shoplift, thieves crash car

DAVIE, Fla. – Two women walked in and out of a store in Davie with a baby stroller. The problem was the stroller didn't have a baby inside.

Davie Police Department detectives said the women were using it to hide stolen merchandise. 

Surveillance video shows Marcelous Thomas and Sheeronnye Pendergrass walking into the Best Buy at 2200 S. University Dr. in Davie. 

"While in the store, both females began to select items and place them aside which were later loaded into the stroller and covered with a blanket," Sgt. Mark Leone said in a statement.

When a loss prevention officer uncovered the blanket to reveal the stolen merchandise, Thomas tried to to grab the merchandise from the stroller, pushed the officer away and ran to a parked car with Pendergrass, according to Leone. 

Detectives believe Donald J. Carter was their getaway driver who was waiting in the car. After crashing into several vehicles, they were trapped in the car. Carter tried to jump in the backseat to get out through a rear window, police said.

Thomas jumped from the passenger seat and into the driver's seat. 

"The drivers of the vehicles that were hit, in fear, began to move, leaving space for Thomas to drive away with Carter in the back seat," Leone said. 

Pendergrass jumped out of the car, but police officers caught up to her in the parking lot. Thomas lost control of the car on a curve and crashed into a nearby sign. She and Carter jumped out of the car and took off running until officers found them. 

"They were walking around lost in the neighborhood," Leone said. 


About the Authors:

The Emmy Award-winning journalist joined the Local 10 News team in 2013. She wrote for the Miami Herald for more than 9 years and won a Green Eyeshade Award.