March 27, 2021- 12:11 p.m
A flooring contractor stole nearly $190,000 worth of cash and collectible coins from a Gold Coast condo that he was rehabbing — and then pawned the coins for a fraction of their true value, prosecutors said.
Omar Delacruz, 40, is charged with felony theft.
Assistant State’s Attorney Brian Burkhardt said a homeowner noticed the safe missing from his home in the 1300 block of North Lake Shore Drive while his condo was being renovated on January 30.
Delacruz was working as a tile subcontractor on the project.
Surveillance video allegedly showed Delacruz walking out of the condo building on January 29 with a bag that apparently contained the safe.
The safe held $90,000 cash and $100,000 worth of collectible coins, Burkhardt said. Delacruz allegedly took the coins to a pawn shop in Miami Beach, Florida, and sold them for — get ready — just $2,381.
According to Burkhardt, Delacruz’s fingerprints were recovered from the pawnshop, which also had photos of him from the transaction. Police arrested Delacruz last week.
Judge Arthur Willis set bail at
