Pompano Beach man arrested after injuring Macy’s employee during retail theft and later found with crack pipe concealed in his body
Coral Springs, Florida – A 28-year-old Pompano Beach man, Joel Pizarro, is facing a string of serious charges after a retail theft turned violent at a Macy’s store in Coral Springs on May 5. The incident, which ended with Pizarro’s arrest and an additional discovery of drug paraphernalia, has left authorities and store staff shaken.
According to an arrest report, Pizarro was seen placing around $70 worth of merchandise into his backpack at the Macy’s store located at 9263 West Atlantic Boulevard. The theft occurred in broad daylight, and when a store employee confronted Pizarro as he attempted to leave the store without paying, the situation quickly escalated. In an attempt to flee, Pizarro returned the stolen items but refused to comply with the employee’s request to stop. The report states that Pizarro aggressively pulled away, causing minor lacerations to the employee’s hand during the struggle.
It was later revealed that Pizarro was no stranger to the store. Investigators discovered that he had previously been banned from the Macy’s location due to earlier incidents. Furthermore, Pizarro was found to be on felony probation at the time of the theft for prior theft-related convictions. The retail theft, coupled with his violation of probation, adds further weight to the charges he now faces.
Pizarro’s resistance to detention and involvement in the altercation with the employee prompted authorities to take swift action. After being arrested and booked into the Broward County Main Jail, a routine search uncovered a shocking discovery. Deputies found a crack pipe concealed within his body, hidden in his buttocks. The discovery has added another charge to his growing list of offenses, which now includes possession of drug paraphernalia.
Pizarro is currently being held without bond and faces multiple charges: retail theft (his third offense), trespassing after warning, resisting a merchant, possession of drug paraphernalia, and a violation of felony probation. The combination of theft, violence, and drug-related charges has left the Coral Springs community stunned.
Macy’s employees involved in the incident have expressed their relief that the situation did not escalate further, and that the suspect is now in custody. While the store’s loss prevention officers were able to quickly respond to the situation, it serves as a reminder of the potential dangers faced by retail workers in everyday situations.
As Pizarro remains behind bars, his future in the criminal justice system seems uncertain, with multiple charges hanging over him. For now, authorities are continuing their investigation, and the Coral Springs community remains vigilant about ensuring public safety.
