Cops: Young couple threatened to set Denny’s employee on fire during crime spree

Detectives say a young couple's three-day crime spree began when they entered an Oakland Park Denny's and threatened to set an employee on fire with a squirt-top bottle filled with gasoline and a lighter if the employee didn't give them money.

The couple then hit a Denny's in Hallandale Beach, giving employees a handwritten letter asking for money and saying they had gas bombs and guns, according to the Broward Sheriff's Office.

Detectives say their last stop was at a 7-Eleven in Dania Beach, where the woman stole several items.

On Wednesday, BSO released photos and a video of the couple captured on surveillance video at 7-Eleven and one of the restaurants.

The first incident happened at about 6 a.m. Jan. 10 at Denny’s restaurant, 911 E. Commercial Blvd. When the couple entered the cashier smelled gas fumes and asked if they had been fixing cars, BSO said. That's when he showed the bottle and demanded money. The employee complied and the couple left with money from the register.

Just before 10 p.m. on the same day, the couple entered Denny’s, 1025 W. Hallandale Beach Blvd. There they gave a note that read: “Really sorry, empty the register as quickly and calmly as possible. We have guns and gas bombs. Quickly.”

Then at 4:30 a.m. Jan. 12, the couple was captured on security video at a 7-Eleven in Dania Beach. The man was wearing a baseball cap and the woman had her hair in a messy bun on her head. They spent about three minutes in the store. Detectives say the woman left with several items she didn't pay for.

Anyone with information is asked to call BSO Robbery Detective Mark Copley at 954-321-4270 or Broward Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS (8477).

This story was originally published January 13, 2016 at 9:21 PM with the headline "Cops: Young couple threatened to set Denny’s employee on fire during crime spree."