FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – A would-be thief and his dog attacked a 68-year-old man outside a bank’s ATM in Fort Lauderdale during an attempted robbery, and the entire incident was captured on surveillance video, authorities said.
The attempted robbery was reported shortly after 4 p.m. March 2 at the Bank of America at 888 Northwest 62nd St. Police released surveillance video of the attack on Thursday.
It was an attempted robbery because the cash the victim was withdrawing got sucked back into the ATM during the struggle, according to Fort Lauderdale police.
According to Fort Lauderdale police, the victim was withdrawing cash when a shirtless man and his large dog approached him.
WARNING: Video below contains graphic footage. Viewer discretion is advised.
Police said the thief punched the victim in the face, causing him to fall to the ground.
“The suspect approached the victim (and) very aggressively punches him in the face where he falls to the ground. He suffered multiple lacerations as a result of dog bites,” said Fort Lauderdale Police Detective Ali Adamson.
“If we are to capture this suspect, he will be charged with attempted robbery with a deadly weapon. The dog is considered that deadly weapon,” Adamson said.
The victim suffered a fractured eye socket and cuts to his leg.
The video shows the would-be robber leaving with a woman in what police believe to be a white Hyundai Elantra.
The suspect is described by police as a Hispanic man between the ages of 20 and 30. He has a thin build, brown hair and brown eyes.
A woman seen in the video was described by police as Hispanic, with a medium build and dark hair. She was wearing a black shirt, black pants and white sneakers.
Anyone with information about the man and woman involved in the attempted robbery and attack is asked to call Detective Christopher Young-Tem at (954) 828-4675. Anonymous tips can be made by calling Broward Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS (8477).