What's with Boynton Beach suddenly becoming a hot spot for South Florida crime? Early yesterday, a couple of exhausted Canadian tourists trying to drive through the night to South Beach, pulled off on I-95 at Boynton Beach Boulevard, then parked at a closed gas station so they could switch drivers, only to notice a Chevy Impala pull in at the same time. Let's let the Boynton Police news release pick it up from there:
The women decided to wait for the car to leave before exiting their car. As they waited, (tourist Fany) Fortim saw a man armed with a handgun walk toward the driver's side of their car. The man tapped on the window and demanded their possessions. He then opened the driver's side door and put a gun against (Martine) Veillette's rib cage as he demanded their belongings. The suspect took off in the silver Chevy Impala with the victims' digital cameras, cell phones, purses and wallets.
Exactly the kind of random act of violence that will have Canadians
flying directly to MIA rather than risking a drive through Palm Beach
and Broward Counties, so thanks for helping yourselves at the expense
of the local economy, Impala guy.
And for others who enjoy similar crimes of opportunity, be mindful that
police found the car they believed belonged to the thieves, who had to
flee on foot to escape. And though police spokeswoman Stephanie Slater
told me this morning they haven't made an arrest in that case, they
have the car, which means that the driver -- and his buddy -- will be
in jail soon. Best case scenario for the thieves: They effectively
traded a Chevy Impala and their peace of mind for a couple of purses,
cell phones and digital cameras. And judging by the Canadian cash
police found on the sidewalk, the thieves aren't keen on hitting acurrency exchange.
