Miami Herald

Who set fire to clothes in Target? Crooks trying to create distractio­n, Broward cops say

- BY MICHELLE MARCHANTE mmarchante@miamiheral­d.com Michelle Marchante: 305-376-2708, @TweetMiche­lleM

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 North Federal Highway 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-ABC 10 they believe the shoplifter­s set the fire to distract employees while they escaped.

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, MiamiDade Fire Rescue said. Officers then learned of a burglary there. Burglary and arson detectives are investigat­ing, police said.

A video posted by WSVN-Fox 7 reporter Tavares Jones on Twitter shows a pile of burned menus on the kitchen floor. The restaurant, best known for its chicken sandwiches, is closed 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 WTVJ-NBC 6. “It’s just ridiculous, you know, the times we’re living in.”

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