PINECREST, Fla. – A quick-thinking 12-year old girl is being credited for helping to scare off a group of house burglars.
The girl was home alone Monday afternoon when at least two men broke into the home in the 11200 block of SW 71st Avenue. The girl ran to a bathroom in her sister's room and first called her mom before dialing 911.
"There's someone breaking into my house and I'm all alone," the girl told the emergency dispatcher. "I hear loud noises and I saw some guy."
The burglars apparently did not realize someone was home. Police were dispatched and when sirens neared the one-story home, the crooks were startled and left behind the valuables they planned to steal.
Dashcam video released by the Pinecrest police department shows the first officer arriving and a champagne-gold color Chevy Malibu speeding away from the home.
The officer realized the vehicle contained the burglars and turned around to chase the crooks. Meanwhile the girl remained on the call with 911 operators.
"Whatever you do, don't hang up" the dispatcher told the girl.
"OK, please hurry up. I don't know what to do and I'm scared," the girl said.
Officers were at the scene within two minutes. The girl's mother also called 911 and rushed back to the home but police had already arrived.
Police set up a perimeter in the area but the car was long gone. Detectives managed to get a glimpse of the plate -- an Illinois tag -- and cops later learned the vehicle was rented.
The girl, who was unharmed, gave police a generic description of the men -- one of whom was wearing a blue shirt, black pants and talking on a pink cellphone when he pried his way into the home.
Detectives and the chief of the Pinecrest Police Department all believe the girl did the right thing and have commended the 12-year-old's actions as brave.
A rash of break-ins were reported Monday at several other homes in Pinecrest around the same time.
"We have confirmed that the Chevy Malibu was involved in at least two of the break-ins," said Pincecrest Detective Jason Brown.
Brown believes the same group is responsible for all of the break-ins.
Items stolen from the other homes included jewelry and electronics valued at $3,300.
If you have any information on any of the burglaries call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS.