Woman, teen arrested in connection with Plantation robberies

Police seeking 15-year-old boy who targeted victims outside Publix stores

PLANTATION, Fla. – An 18-year-old woman and a 16-year-old girl were arrested Monday in connection with a string of robberies that were recently reported in Plantation, authorities said.

Erica Abraham faces charges of carjacking, robbery by sudden snatching and aggravated battery on a person over 65.

She appeared in court for a second time Wednesday for fraud charges because authorities said she used at least one of the victim's credit cards.

Detectives said they believe the same group of people committed four robberies, which started Jan. 15, because all of the incidents involved a similar vehicle description and three of the robberies were reported outside Publix grocery stores.

The first robbery was reported at 6:20 p.m. on Abraham's 18th birthday, Jan. 15, at the Publix at 1181 S. University Drive. 

Police said a 15-year-old boy who got out of the back seat of a black Nissan Altima pepper sprayed a woman and snatched her purse.

Her vehicle was later stolen from the driveway of her home.

The second robbery was reported the same night at 7:15 p.m. at a Publix at 8101 W. Sunrise Blvd.

Police said the victim was approached by the teenage boy and a girl, who pepper sprayed her and stole her purse.

Two women are believed to have been robbed by the boy and two girls, including Abraham, Tuesday after leaving an Outback Steakhouse in a shopping plaza at 1823 N. Pine Island Road.

Police said the driver of the Nissan struck one of the victims in the thigh, and then the boy got out of the car and repeatedly punched her in the head.

Police said Abraham and the girl attacked the other victim. A cellphone was taken during the robbery.

The final robbery was reported at 8:45 p.m. Wednesday at a Publix in the area of Northwest 69th Avenue and West Broward Boulevard.

The victim told police she was driving home from Publix when a black Nissan intentionally rear-ended her vehicle while she was entering her development.

When the woman got out of her car to check the damage, the teenage boy and one of the female suspects got out of the Nissan, pepper sprayed the victim and took her purse, authorities said.

Records show that Abraham has a lengthy juvenile record. It's unclear whether she was involved in all of the robberies. Authorities said she faces additional charges for an incident that occurred at 1 Eldorado Parkway.

Abraham appeared in court Tuesday and is being held on a $250,000 bond.

Anyone with information about the boy's identity is asked to call Broward Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS.


About the Authors:

Amanda Batchelor is the Digital Executive Producer for Local10.com.

Sanela Sabovic joined Local 10 News in September 2012 as an assignment editor and associate producer. In August 2015, she became a full-time reporter and fill-in traffic reporter. Sanela holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in communications with a concentration in radio, television and film from DePaul University.