Merlin Perez {BSO}
A homeless man has been charged with burglary after being linked to a series of car break-ins, identified by his distinctive marijuana tattoo.
On September 14, the Margate Police Department received multiple reports of vehicle burglaries from residents across several neighborhoods.
According to records, the incidents occurred during the early morning hours. An unknown suspect, later identified as Merlin Perez, 24, entered unlocked vehicles and stole small amounts of cash and electronic accessories.
MPD records show that in one reported incident, a female resident stated that Perez had entered the passenger side of her Ford F-150 truck and rummaged through the interior. It was later discovered that cash and various electronic cords had been taken from the vehicle’s sunglass holder.
The woman provided MPD with video surveillance footage showing Perez arriving on a bicycle, approaching the truck at approximately 2:20 a.m., entering the vehicle, and remaining inside for about six minutes before leaving the scene.
Another resident, referred to in the report as “Victim 2,” reported that he found the front driver’s door of his white Toyota Rav 4 ajar. Upon further inspection, he noticed that the vehicle’s contents were scattered throughout the interior, and a small amount of cash was missing from the center console.
Surveillance footage again captured Perez arriving on a white bicycle at around 2:35 a.m., 15 minutes after the first burglary. Records indicate the footage shows him spending approximately four minutes inside the vehicle before exiting and attempting unsuccessfully to enter another car parked in the driveway.
In both cases, it was noted that Perez had a distinguishing tattoo of a marijuana leaf on the inside of his lower left leg.
Using the video surveillance provided by both victims, Margate Police sent out a “Need to Identify” bulletin within the department and to surrounding agencies. Shortly afterward, a detective recognized Perez as the same man who had been recently arrested and confirmed that he also had a marijuana leaf tattoo on his lower left leg.
On September 19, MPD conducted a stop for a bicycle violation at 169 South SR-7 and identified Perez. After addressing the bicycle violation, the officer observed the marijuana leaf tattoo matching the suspect’s description.
Perez was arrested and transported to the Broward County Main Jail.
MPD is investigating if Perez can be linked to other reported similar incidents that have occurred in the past.
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