Residents of Hialeah are up in arms after a series of pet thefts perpetrated by a man they have dubbed "Spider-Man."
The suspect, described as tall, young, and fair-skinned, was caught on surveillance cameras scaling the side of a building to steal a birdcage from the second-floor balcony.
Miriam Cruz, the owner of the stolen birds, expressed her shock and sadness upon discovering the loss of her pets, which had been part of her family for nearly two years. "Thank goodness I wasn't home; if I had seen him jump onto my balcony, I would have had a heart attack," she told Telemundo 51.
"It's not fair for someone to do this. Those birds have enormous sentimental value to me," Cruz added, visibly upset.
The incident has stirred fear among the residents, who have been checking their own security cameras and balconies, worried about the safety of their pets. "I got really scared because sometimes we leave our dog outside. If a man can steal birds, he can do anything," said a young woman identified as Maria.
Security footage shows the suspect riding a motorcycle down the street, entering the parking lot, and stopping just below Cruz's apartment. After eyeing his target, he walked around while using his phone and then began climbing the building like an expert, earning him the nickname "Hialeah's Spider-Man."
"I saw him climb up like it was nothing; he scaled a fence, went up to the second floor, and entered the neighbor's balcony to take the birds," Maria recounted.
After committing the theft, the man descended, got on his motorcycle, and fled the scene with the birdcage in his left hand.
The residents of the building, located in the most Hispanic city in the United States, are demanding that the thief return Maria's birds.
Concerns Over Pet Safety in Hialeah
This section addresses common questions and concerns residents might have about the security of their pets in light of recent thefts.
What measures can residents take to protect their pets?
Residents can install additional security cameras, keep pets indoors or in secure areas, and collaborate with neighbors to monitor unusual activities.
Has the "Spider-Man" thief been identified by authorities?
As of now, authorities have not publicly identified the suspect. They are encouraging anyone with information to come forward.