Broward carjacking suspect was arrested when she tried to board a flight, cops say

FORT LAUDERDALE — A 17-year-old carjacking suspect was arrested at Miami International Airport just as she was about to board a flight using a fake name, the Broward Sheriff ’s Office said.

She was arrested about 7:19 p.m. Wednesday and charged with armed carjacking with a firearm, armed robbery with a firearm, and fraudulent use of a credit card, records show.

Her real name was not disclosed because she is a juvenile.

Investigators released surveillance video July 20 that showed the armed teen running across a parking lot near Fort LauderdaleHollywood

International Airport about 6 a.m. on July 7.

The video showed a man sitting in the passenger seat of a Volkswagen Passat outside Self Park FLL at 901 Old Griffin Road. The driver was inside the office arranging to park the VW prior to catching a flight later that day.

A Ford Mustang pulled into the parking lot, the teenager got out of the passenger side of the Ford, ran across the parking lot, opened the driver’s side door of the Passat and robbed the man at gunpoint, deputies said.

Moments later, the victim got out of the car unharmed while the teen climbed into the driver’s seat and drove away.

About 90 minutes after the carjacking, security cameras recorded a female using the victim’s credit cards to buy food at a Dania Beach restaurant. Robbery detectives later determined the 17-year-old was the person seen in that surveillance video.

Broward Crime Stoppers tips helped Broward Sheriff ’s detectives identify and arrest the carjacking suspect.

Detectives say the teenager was attempting to fly out of town under someone else’s name. During questioning, investigators said she confessed.