Surveillance images from the Aldi store in Lauderdale Lakes, Fla., where a man punched another shopper (Broward County Sheriff’s Office).
A Florida man was hospitalized after an unknown suspect allegedly waited for him outside an Aldi store and punched him.
The Broward County Sheriff’s Office has released images and video of a man caught on surveillance cameras punching another man who was shopping at an Aldi grocery store in Lauderdale Lakes around 7 p.m. on Oct. 11. According to a press release from the sheriff’s office, the suspect can be seen confronting the victim, who was inside the store with his service dog. Police said that the suspect waited outside for the victim and “sucker punched” him.
The apparently unprovoked attack caused the victim to fall backward and hit his head on the ground, causing “significant and serious injuries” that left him in a coma.
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A poster from Broward County Crime Stoppers stated that the victim sustained “permanent injuries.”
The brother of the victim, whose family wants to remain anonymous, spoke to local news station WPLG and confirmed that the victim was in a coma. He said, “So, this is a total nightmare for my family. We’re going through it, but if somebody knows who this guy is, if they can come and say who it is or call Crime Stoppers and let us know who he is, so somebody else doesn’t have to go through this nightmare.”
According to Crime Stoppers, the attack took place at 7:17 p.m. on Oct. 11. In the surveillance video released by the sheriff’s office, the suspect is seen approaching the man, who was with his service dog on a leash in one of the store’s aisles, and arguing with him. Cameras caught the suspect leave the store.
When the victim and his family left the store, the suspect was outside, allegedly waiting for him. The violent attack was caught on camera. Following the attack, the suspect fled the scene.
The Broward County Sheriff’s Office is asking anyone with information about the suspect to call Broward Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS (8477) or submit a tip at browardcrimestoppers.org, or dial **TIPS (8477) from any cellphone in the United States. Police said that if a tip leads to an arrest, the tipster will be eligible for a $5,000 reward.
