Who set fire to Target and Popeyes? People who wanted to escape, S. Florida police say
Fires were set at a Target and a Popeyes in South Florida in two separate grab-and-go thefts.
In Broward County, the drama happened shortly after 9 p.m. Wednesday inside the Target in the Coral Ridge Mall at 3200 N. Federal Hwy in Fort Lauderdale. Police say some clothing was set on fire by people attempting to steal merchandise. Employees put out the flames and no one was injured.
Police told WPLG-Local10 they believe the shoplifters set the fire to distract employees while they escaped.
“We appreciate the quick response of the local fire department and we’re grateful no one was injured,” Target spokesman Brian Harper-Tibaldo said in an email to the Miami Herald.
In Miami-Dade County, just hours later, a similar situation happened inside the Popeyes at 6800 SW Eighth St..
Police and fire-rescue responded to the restaurant just after 5 a.m. after reports of a fire, Miami-Dade police said. The Popeyes was closed at the time.
When crews entered the restaurant, they found the fire in the kitchen area and put it out, Miami-Dade Fire Rescue said. Officers then learned of a burglary there. Burglary and arson detectives are investigating, police said.
A video posted by WSVN reporter Tavares Jones on Twitter shows a pile of burned menus on the kitchen floor. The restaurant, best known for its chicken sandwiches, was closed Thursday for the investigation and cleanup.
“They robbed the place, they trashed the place, they burned down the kitchen. They opened the safe,” head cook Armando Jomarron told NBC6. “It’s just ridiculous, you know, the times we’re living in.”
This story was originally published May 12, 2022 at 8:03 AM.
