Knife-wielding suspect taken into custody after confrontation over stolen goods at Coral Springs Lowe’s store
Coral Springs, Florida – A man was arrested after a shoplifting attempt at a Coral Springs Lowe’s store escalated into a frightening confrontation involving a knife. The incident occurred on March 24 at the Lowe’s location on Turtle Creek Drive, where Andres Garcia attempted to leave the store after concealing merchandise in his backpack.
The situation began as a simple verbal confrontation between Garcia and a loss prevention employee, who noticed the stolen items. However, things quickly took a dangerous turn when Garcia pulled out a knife during the argument. According to the police report, Garcia displayed an army-colored folding knife, further escalating the tense situation. The employee, fearing for her safety, reported that she was alarmed when Garcia revealed the weapon.
Surveillance footage from the store confirmed Garcia’s actions, and police soon identified him. After the confrontation, Garcia left the store and got into a gray Toyota SUV. Officers responding to the scene quickly found the vehicle in the parking lot and initiated a traffic stop. During the stop, police searched the vehicle and located a green camouflage folding knife in the driver’s side door pocket.
In custody, Garcia expressed suicidal thoughts and was transported to Broward Health Coral Springs for evaluation. Following his evaluation, Garcia was booked into the Broward County Main Jail. He is now facing serious charges, including aggravated assault with a deadly weapon without intent to kill, and retail theft for stealing merchandise valued between $100 and $750. The stolen items, totaling $367, were found to have been concealed in his backpack during the attempted theft.
This incident serves as a reminder of the risks that employees and customers can face in situations involving theft and confrontation. Authorities have taken the matter seriously, ensuring that Garcia faces legal consequences for his actions. The Coral Springs Police Department continues to investigate the case, and Garcia will remain in jail pending further proceedings.
