MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – Police in Pembroke Pines on Friday arrested a 26-year-old man who investigators said robbed a T-Mobile store, then led officers on a two-county chase.
Dermar Hamilton walked into the store at 9015 Pines Boulevard and stole seven smart phones, police said.
"The suspect entered the store. Once he entered the store, he was wearing a hooded sweatshirt, he had a mask covering his face," said Pembroke Pines Police Capt. Carlos Bermudez. "He told the employees and the patrons to not look at him, to stay back. The suspect then cut security cables that were attached to the display phones, and he removed those display phones."
Officers followed Hamilton through Pembroke Pines and Miramar to Northwest 199th Street and 37th Avenue in Miami Gardens, where he left his car and ran, police said.
"He was just running and trying to find a hiding spot," said Leo Farinas. "At first I was scared -- I'm not going to lie to you."
Police then found Hamilton hiding inside a shed next to a mobile home, police said. They also recovered the stolen cell phones.
Hamilton was charged with robbery. Investigators said he may be tied to another cell phone store robbery in South Florida.