Miami Theft Defense Lawyer

Police in Sunrise, Florida recently took into custody a man who they believe stole an expensive ring from a jewelry store in the mall at Sawgrass Mills. Surveillance video assisted them in identifying the suspect.During the second week of March 2014, Maurice Blake, a 30 year old man, entered the CR Jewelers store. According to the warrant for his arrest, he requested from a sales clerk to see a diamond engagement ring. Shortly after, he handed that ring back and asked to see another. Police stated that once Blake had the second diamond ring in his hand, he fled the store and managed to escape capture.

The ring that was stolen included a 2.95 carat diamond in a white gold setting that carried a price tag of $42,270.

Police were able to identify Blake as the thief as a result of a tip to Crime Stoppers. His Facebook page was subsequently checked and a photo of a ring that was identical to the one stolen from CR Jewelers was listed as being $69,999. The clerk from the jewelry store later identified him positively as the man who stole the ring.

Maurice Blake was arrested on the evening of Tuesday, March 18, 2014 in Miami Gardens. He was booked and brought to the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center in Miami, Florida. There is no word on whether investigators managed to recover the diamond engagement ring.

There was a hearing the following day that resulted in the judge setting a bond of $50,000 for Blake. He requested a lesser bond, but the judge declined and stated that she had no jurisdiction over what happens in Broward County.

Blake formerly lived in Miramar. When news of his arrest reached his former neighbors, they were saddened by the news. Colin Reece, one of his former neighbors said that he was sorry to hear about the incident and that Blake was a nice guy. He also wondered about the circumstances that led to the man’s wrongdoing.

However, a look into Blake’s past show that he has prior prison records in Florida. Previously, he served a few years in prison for burglary and grand theft. Additionally, Broward County court records showed that a mere eight days before the ring theft, he had been arrested in Pembroke Pines for petit theft.

If you or someone you know has been arrested on theft charges in Florida, you will need the services of a skilled Miami theft defense lawyer. Kenneth Hassett is one of the best in the business as he boasts over 20 years of criminal defense experience. His law office of Hassett and Associates, P.A. will work to the best of their ability to get you the best defense so that your charges are lessened or even dropped.