MIAMI (CBS4) – The U.S. Marshals say Barton Hill, 19, is on the run from double murder charges.

“He’s one of the most sought after fugitives in the city right now,” said Deputy U.S .Marshal Barry Golden.

The teenager is on the run from an arrest warrant for a shooting spree in Little Haiti last month.   The feds say Hill and another man opened fire on 4 men who were watching Monday Night Football.

Two of those shooting victims, brothers, did not survive.

Hill’s mother told CBS4’s Brian Andrews she doesn’t believe her son is capable of killing anyone.

“When I find out where he is, I’ll be glad to take him, along with our lawyer, down to police to get this straightened out,” said Barbara Hill.

Barton Hill has a criminal past for violent crimes, including armed robbery and attempted murder, dating back to the age of 16.

US Marshals Deputies believe he is still in the Miami area.   Anyone with information is asked to call 877-WANTED2.

PEMBROKE PINES (CBS4) – It took less than a minute for three masked men, one who had a gun, to steal thousands of dollars of merchandise from a crowded jewelry store in Pembroke Pines.

The robbery happened Wednesday evening at the Jared’s Jewelry Store at Pines Boulevard and Hiatus Road.

The men stole jewelry and a purse and left everyone inside the store terrified.

While detectives spoke to customers and employees, police and witnesses say at least three men wearing masks and carrying at least one gun burst in around 7:50 pm and carried out their crime.  Among the terrified customers in the store was a retired Hialeah police officer.

Two young men were outside the store and watched it happen.

“I said to my friend ‘They’re robbing the store’ as a joke,” said one of the young men. “I looked closer and when I saw the gun I said this place is really getting robbed.”

The young men said they ran and called police and watched the thieves hop in a getaway car.

“We ran out here and they ran to the car and peeled off,” said a second young man.

Pembroke Pines police quickly arrived on scene as did the FBI. The South Florida Violent Crimes and Fugitive Task Force is leading the investigation.

These young men are glad they survived unharmed.

“I didn’t want to get shot,” said one of the young men. “I was thinking about both our lives.”

Police searched in front of the store for clues. Witnesses said there were lots of people outside here Wednesday night and this could have ended badly.

Neighboring businesses said they were concerned after they heard about the robbery.

“It’s a little nerve wracking considering there are only women who work at the European Wax Center and we are too doors down,” said Jason Zeligman of the European Wax Center

Police said they are looking for a black late model Mercedes which they believe may have been stolen.

If you have any information call the Pembroke Pines Police Department or Crime Stoppers at 954 493 TIPS.

MIAMI (CBSMiami) – U.S. Marshals have captured one of South Florida’s most wanted fugitives in Miami with help from a CBS4 viewer.

On October 29^th, CBS4’s Brian Andrews profiled the hunt for Barton Hill, 19, who was on the run from double murder charges.

After seeing the Fugitive Task Force story, a viewer thought he saw Hill and called U.S. Marshals late Wednesday night.

Officials set up surveillance at an apartment complex at NW 18^th Terrace and 22^nd Avenue in Miami where Hill was staying with a girl.   His arrest didn’t come without a fight. Authorities said he jumped out of a second story window and tried to run away. When police caught him, he said he felt like he was going to throw up. He was taken into custody around 5:00 a.m. Thursday morning.

Hill was wanted for a shooting spree in Little Haiti in September. Authorities said Hill and another man opened fire on four people who were watching Monday Night Football under a carport next to a home at 150 NE 68th Terrace.

Two of those shooting victims, brothers Mackenson Pierre, 17, and Yves Sylvester, 15, did not survive.

Relatives of Pierre and Sylvester were glad to hear of Hill’s arrest.

“Thank you because I’m happy, I’m happy now,” said one relative. Their sister also agreed. “I’m happy.”

Barton Hill has a criminal past for violent crimes, including armed robbery and attempted murder, dating back to the age of 16.

His mother told CBS4′s Brian Andrew several weeks ago that she didn’t think her son was capable of hurting anyone.

“My son ain’t capable of shooting nobody. That’s my son and I love him,” said Barbara Hill.

Barton Hill will be booked into the Miami-Dade County Jail before going before a judge to be formally charged with murder.

The tipster who called the Fugitive Task Force, will receive a reward but the amount is unknown at this time.

If you have a tip for the U.S. Marshals office, just call 877-WANTED2.

MIAMI (CBSMiami) – After nearly two months on the run, U.S. Marshals captured one of South Florida’s most wanted fugitives in Miami with help from a CBS4 viewer and now he’s locked up in the Miami-Dade County jail.

Nineteen-year-old Barton Hill, charged with two counts of murder,  was denied bond Friday and forbidden from contacting two surviving victims  during his first court appearance Friday.

On the way to jail Thursday, cuffed and being walked out of the Miami Police Department, Hill faced reporters’ questions.

“They got the wrong person,” he said. “I never opened fire.”

Hill said he didn’t kill 15-year-old Mackenson Pierre and his 17-year-old brother Yves Sylvester at their Little Haiti home in September as they watched a football game with two other people under a driveway carport.

But their sister said the family is glad Hill is locked up.

“I’m happy for the arrest because he’s off the street and this won’t happen to anyone else,” said Miriam, the murdered teens’ sister.

On October 29^th, CBS4’s Brian Andrews profiled the hunt for Barton Hill in his Fugitive Task Force feature. A CBS4 viewer called U.S. Marshals late Wednesday night after spotting Hill at an apartment near the Miami River.

Officials set up surveillance at the apartment complex at NW 18^th Terrace and 22^nd Avenue in Miami where Hill was staying with a girl.   His arrest didn’t come without a fight. Authorities said he jumped out of a second story window and tried to run away. When police caught him, he said he felt like he was going to throw up. He was taken into custody around 5:00 a.m. Thursday morning.

The mother of the dead brothers is thankful a CBS4 viewer came forward with vital information to help catch Barton Hill.

“Thank you because I’m happy, I’m happy now,” said Olivia Pierre. “God Bless you because you find that man. Thank you.”

Barton Hill has a criminal past for violent crimes, including armed robbery and attempted murder, dating back to the age of 16.

His mother told CBS4′s Brian Andrew several weeks ago that she didn’t think her son was capable of hurting anyone.

“My son ain’t capable of shooting nobody. That’s my son and I love him,” said Barbara Hill.

The tipster, who called the Fugitive Task Force, will receive a reward but the amount is unknown at this time.

Police also revealed Friday they have arrested the second man who was with Barton Hill the night of the shooting. Ivan Brown, 18,  was arrested on Sept. 23rd and charged with two counts of first-degree murder and two counts of attempted felony murder.

MIAMI GARDENS (CBS4) – Miami-Dade Police are looking for two armed robbers who stormed a Miami Gardens MetroPCS store Monday night and demanded thousands of dollars worth of high end cell phones.

Police responded to the store in the area of 4880 NW 183rd street at around 8 p.m. Police tell CBS4′s Maggie Newland that three suspects fled the scene with guns and cell phones.

Store owner Clara Cordova heard about the robbery from her store manager.

“Obviously we were very concerned and we ran over here and found the scene,” she said. “From what we know it was two men that came in with guns. They were very aggressive and took one of the girls to the back and asked her to open up the cage where we have the phones and they started taking the phones and immediately ran out.”

Although she’s upset about the robbery, she says her employees are her biggest concern.

“We want to make sure everybody’s safe. There are three pregnant girls inside. They must be scared to death. We want to make sure they’re okay and their safety is obviously the most important thing to us,” said Cordova.

She says the store does have a surveillance system though she’s not yet sure what the video will show. Police say they do have leads in the case.

HIALEAH (CBSMiami) – It was another case of fighting back against criminals in South Florida. And this time, the consequences could have been deadly for a young man who police say tried to rob a fruit vendor at gunpoint.

Police say that unidentified man was shot multiple times by a friend of the vendor while trying to rob the vendor of cash at his neighborhood stand at 7200 West 29^th Lane.

He was airlifted to the hospital in critical condition, police said. They were not sure of his age but neighbors said he appeared to be about 19 years old.

The son and the daughter of the 68-year-old man who shot the would-be robber told CBS4’s Peter D’Oench that their father acted in self defense and Hialeah Police are trying to determine if  that was true.

“What we have is a white Latin male who appeared at the fruit stand and demanded cash. He had a gun. Then a 3^rd party pulled out his gun and shot the subject multiple times,” said Hialeah Police Detective Eddie Rodriguez.

“That subject was airlifted to the hospital in critical condition and we are talking to both the fruit vendor and the man who shot him to see if this was a case of self defense,” said Rodriguez.

“Everyone has the right to defend themselves,” said Rodriguez. “We don’t know if that was the case here but people have that right.”

“Here he tries to take cash and look at what happened,” said Rodriguez.

“How much cash could he have had?” asked neighbor Deylin Moreno. “He couldn’t have had much money. I know him. He’s a very sweet man. He’s always out there doing his job, nothing bad. You get what you get when you try to steal something.”

The son of the man who shot the would-be robber said his father fired in self defense.

“My dad called me and told me I thought I killed a man that was going to assault the vendor. I produced a gun and I had to shoot him.”

“I imagine that he did what he did in self defense,” said Beatriz Rodriguez, the daughter of the man claiming self defense.

“If not, he would not be alive now,” she told D’Oench. “He has a license to carry a gun.”

Police have also not identified the fruit vendor or the man who fired the weapon.

MIRMAR (CBSMiami) – Miramar Police investigators are looking for three young men in connection with a Pizza Hut restaurant robbery.

No customers where in the restaurant in the 7900 block of Miramar Parkway during the hold-up Saturday night just before 10 o’clock, employees said.

“When they first came in, I really thought it was a joke,” witness Alexandra Alexis said. “Everybody in Pizza Hut thought it was a joke.”

The robbery was captured on surveillance video.

“That’s the last place. I would never think a pizza place would be targeted,” Alexis told CBS 4′s Lauren Pastrana.

According to Miramar Police, one of the robbers stayed by the door while two young men in masks forced employees to cover in fear.

“They jumped over the counter and had guns and held them at gunpoint,” restaurant manager Stephanie Bertrand said. “He was rushing them to open the safe and the drawers so they could get the money that was in there.”

Miramar Police think the robbers are between 17 and 20-years-old.

In their haste, the thieves can be seen dropping the cash drawer. Bills and change scattered across the floor.

More than 20 seconds passed before they picked up the money.

Employees said it could not have been much.

“We don’t really carry much money in our cash register,” Alexis said. “So they probably didn’t get away with more than a hundred dollars.”

Five days after the hold-up, Bertrand still had a lot of questions.

“Why would you come in here?” she asked of the robbers. “The safe closes at a certain time and everything is dropped in. I don’t know why.”

Bertrand said she’d be on her guard from now on. “I have to come in to work,” Bertrand said. “I have to just get over that fear.

Cops are looking for three black males. One is light skinned, 5’7″ to 5’8″ tall, approximately 135 lbs. The other is dark skinned, 5’9″ to 5’11 tall, approximately 145 lbs, with short hair. The only description of the third suspect is that he is a black male who was wearing a dark colored hoodie at the time.

If you have any information about the robbery, contact Broward Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS.

MIAMI (CBSMiami) – Miami-Dade police are hoping to get a lead on Burger King bandit who they suspect robbed two of the fast food chain’s restaurants Monday night.

On surveillance video from a restaurant in the 1300 block of NW 20th Street an employee is seen walking to the drive-thru window to hand a customer two drinks when an armed man pushes his half way through the window. As he points the gun at her, she jumps back. The armed man, who was dressed in black and wearing a red and white skull cap, then reaches into the register, grabs a handful of cash and runs off.

A woman, who did wish to be identified in this report, said she was in her car with her two children waiting for their order and saw the whole thing.

“I was in the drive-thru when it all occurred,” she said. “A gentleman just ran up and threw himself in the window and said ‘Give me all the money, open the (expletive) register’.”

Just a few feet from the armed man, the woman said she was terrified and her instincts just kicked in.

“I just pulled off. I put the car in drive and just pulled off,” she said.

Police believe the robber drove off in an older model dark Toyota Camry.

A short time later, a second Burger King at NW 36th Street and 27th Avenue was robbed in the same manner and police suspect it was the same guy but have not officially confirmed that.

“Some guy came to the window and asked for all the money. He pulled out a long gun, like a big gun. He like pointed it at the cashier’s head at the window,” said employee Jermesia Dixon.

Dixon said she didn’t get a good look at him, on purpose.

“I wasn’t trying to look at him, I just left. I didn’t want to see all that,” said Dixon. “I was nervous, like I had to go.”

“Everybody just ran to the back because he was standing by the window so everybody thought he was going to come in,” said an employee who did wish to be identified in this report. “Everybody just ran to the back.”

Tuesday morning both 24 hour drive-thru windows were back in business.

“It’s very scary, you have to watch out and look around.  Make sure there’s nobody creeping up on you,” said Maggie Martin as she waited in line.

“I’m always looking, always looking, you never know,” said Lourdes Valdivia.

Police will not say if the two armed robberies were connected, but they say there were similarities and they’ve only released one suspect description. Police believe the gunman is a black man who was last seen wearing a partial facial mask, a burgundy hoodie and a backpack.

Anyone with information about the robbery or the suspect is urged to contact Miami Dade Crimestoppers at (305) 471- TIPS.

HIALEAH (CBSMiami) – Three men are behind bars after they allegedly tried to bring home the bacon from a fast-food restaurant robbery in Hialeah.

Korrigan Brown, 20, Nathan Holmes, 21, and Lamel Lattimore, 21, were arrested by Hialeah police after they allegedly committed an armed robbery at the Wendy’s located on 45 East 49th Street on Saturday.

According to police, Brown and Holmes, both armed, walked into the Wendy’s and went straight towards the cashier.

As Brown went behind the counter and opened up the cash register, Holmes stood by the door, said police.

When Brown was done stashing the cash, the two men rushed out of the restaurant and hopped into a silver 2009 Honda Accord, where Lattimore was in the driver’s seat, according to police.

After Hialeah police received word about the robbery, they located the Accord on N.W. 103rd Street.

Police pulled the car over and immediately arrested Holmes and Lattimore.

That is when, police said, Brown jumped out of the car and dashed off on foot but was caught soon after.

Hialeah police believe the trio may have been responsible for multiple robberies at fast food restaurants as well as roadside robberies and gas station robberies across Miami-Dade County.

HIALEAH (CBSMiami) – Three men are behind bars after they allegedly tried to bring home the bacon from a fast-food restaurant robbery in Hialeah.

Korrigan Brown, 20, Nathan Holmes, 21, and Lamel Lattimore, 21, were arrested by Hialeah police after they allegedly committed an armed robbery at the Wendy’s located on 45 East 49th Street on Friday Night.   Surveillance cameras caught the crime on tape.

According to police, Brown and Holmes, both armed, walked into the Wendy’s.  As Brown went behind the counter and opened up the cash register, Holmes stood by the door, said police.

“Of course everybody’s in fear for their lives….everybody did the right thing by complying,” said Detective Eddie Rodriguez with Hialeah Police.

Police say when Brown was done stashing the cash, the two men rushed out of the restaurant and hopped into a silver 2009 Honda Accord, where Lattimore was in the driver’s seat.

That’s when the 9-1-1 calls started.

A caller told the dispatcher in Spanish “they went to rob the Wendy’s on 49^th street.”  The dispatcher asked if the suspects had guns.  “Yes they had two guns,” the caller said.

Another caller told a dispatcher in Spanish, “I’m following them.”   The caller described the scene as police stopped the vehicle on N.W. 103rd Street.

Police pulled the car over and immediately arrested Holmes and Lattimore.

That is when, police said, Brown jumped out of the car and dashed off on foot but was caught soon after.

At some point shots were fired. Police are not confirming who fired but say no one was hurt.

Now police have turned the case over to the FBI.

“They’re going to see if they’re responsible for some of the similar robberies that have occurred throughout Miami-Dade County,” explained Det. Rodriguez.

MIAMI (CBS4) – New surveillance tape obtained exclusively by CBS4 shows some frightening images during an armed robbery at Dollar Store and the victims say this incident could have been deadly.

“Pathetic,” said Frank Ismail, who is the brother of the owner of the store. “It’s pathetic. Those are the only words I can say.”

Ismail and his family members are sharing the surveillance tape with CBS4’s Peter D’Oench because they hope someone will recognize the thieves who they say terrorized their employees.

The shape shows one of the suspects violently shaking a female clerk at the cash register and then jumping over the counter to look for cash as his accomplice holds a gun on her and other employees.

“Somebody could have been shot,” said Ismail. He told D’Oench, “They don’t care. You see just how they close the door. And boom, they jump inside and get cash.”

The female clerk was terrified.

“You can see the lady behind the cashier’s desk,” said Ismail. “She is not armed. If I was over there, it would have made a difference. You understand what I am saying. They see she is not armed. That’s easy.”

“He jumps the counter and starts stealing the money,” said clerk Marcos Rivera.

The tape also captures Rivera before the gun is pointed at him.

“He comes and pulls out a gun and says don’t move,” said Rivera. “When I saw that gun, I was frozen. That’s it.”

The tape shows how the two men first walk into the store at Northwest 22^nd Avenue and Northwest 28^th Street at 8:47 p.m. on Tuesday. They are inside the store for just 80 seconds. They flee on bicycles with $200 in cash, according to the store owner.

“This is my store,” said Rivera. “This is ridiculous. It’s not good to steal.”

Fortunately, no one is hurt.

The victims say they have not seen the thieves in their store before.

“These people deserve to be in jail forever. I mean forever,” said Ismail. “They should not be bonded out ever.”

The store owner tells D’Oench that she has owned the Dollar Store for nearly 13 years. She says she was robbed once before six years ago.

She says one suspect is about 18 years old. The other one is older.

Miami Police hope more witnesses will come forward.

Anyone who can help should call them or Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at (305) 471-TIPS (8477). Your will remain anonymous and could be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.

MIAMI (CBSMiami) – An 84-year-old man who was shot in the left thigh by a young robber who demanded his gold necklace says “God saved me.”

“I looked at what happened and I said to myself, God saved me. God saved my life. I really believe that,” said Danis Georges inside his home near Miami Avenue on Northeast 69^th Street.

He spoke with CBS4’s Peter D’Oench moments after he came home from Jackson Memorial, where he was treated for a bullet wound. Pointing to the bandages on his thigh, Georges said “It’s going to be ok. I have to go back over the next 3 weeks or so for checks with the doctor.”

He said he was sitting in a chair outside his home when the young gunman arrived at his home on his bicycle and came through his front gate.

“He came through the front gate in my yard and he said I should give him 50 cents,” said Georges. “I told him no, I have no money. He pushed in my chair and I fell down on the ground. I fell down. Then he had a 9 millimeter gun and after I fell down in the chair, he shot me in the leg.”

Georges was rushed to the Ryder Trauma Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital.

“I hope they find whoever did this,” said Georges. “I really do. It would mean a lot to me.”

He did not recognize the gunman and said he did not see his face because it was shielded by a hood.

Georges had been a member of the Miami Police Department’s Citizens on Patrol until two years ago.

He focused on crime prevention and looking for criminals in Little Haiti.

Ironically, this time, a criminal found him.

“I got sick 2 years ago and I couldn’t do it anymore,” he said.

Georges told D’Oench he had lived in the home on Northeast 69^th Street for the past 35 years after coming to the U.S. from Haiti.

“I’m feeling good now,” he said. “I feel much better.”

His cousin, Adolph Matrise, told D’Oench, “I’m not feeling good about this. My cousin was shot. This is not good.”

A neighbor who did not want to show her face and who said her name was Marone told D’Oench she heard the shot that was fired at Georges.

“I saw him on the ground and I screamed because I heard one shot,” said Marone. “We called police. That man he’s been here for a long time and he has always said hi to everybody. He doesn’t have a problem with anybody.”

“I feel very bad for him,” she said. “They need to catch whoever did this and call police. If you know something, call them.”

If you can help Miami Police with this case, call Miami-Dade Crimestoppers at (305) 471-TIPS (8477).

MIAMI (CBS4) – A 49-year-old Miami store clerk is in critical condition after being shot ten times during a robbery.

Police spokesman Sgt. Freddie Cruz says it’s a “miracle that he is alive” and he is worried that the suspects are on a crime spree.

Seventy minutes before the robbery and shooting at People’s Mini Market in LibertyCity, police say the same suspects struck a Mobil gas station 711 store at 11500 Pembroke Road in Miramar.

That happened at 2:30 a.m. on Saturday and the criminals were captured on surveillance tape entering the store with a rifle and a handgun. They are masked and are wearing bandanas. They pistol whipped a female employe, took cash and fleds, heading south to Miami.

New surveillance tape shows the suspects inside the People’s Mini Market at 3:40 a.m. on Saturday.

Cruz told CBS4’s Peter D’Oench that the suspects held a shotgun to the head of Jaime Walker and then forced clerk Shawgy Mohamed to go through the cash drawer.

“They pistol whipped the poor victim, Mohamed and then at that point, one suspect said we should kill him. He was shot ten times. It’s a miracle that he’s alive after being shot ten times.”

D’Oench spoke with Jaime Walker at her apartment but she was too upset to talk on camera. But she told him she was terrified by the criminal who held the weapon to her head.

“We need to catch these animals before they can do this again,” said Cruz. “This was a vicious attack. It was a particularly vicious attack on a store clerk who has a family and who was nearly killed over pennies.”

Cruz could not say how much money was taken. But he said, “This is a spree. We worry that these people will strike again. They need to be put behind bars.”

It is not known if the suspects have victimized other stores.

Police describe the suspects as black males, who are both between 5’8” and 5’10” tall, 150 to 160 pounds and 18 to 28 years old.

D’Oench also spoke with Muhammed Shareif, who owns the People’s Mini Market.

“There is no description for what happened here,” he said. “At the same time Shawgy is doing good now after surgery. He is much better. It’s a relief for what has happened, how he has recovered over the last two days.”

“This is a terrible thing,” Shareif said. “This shouldn’t happen to anybody.”

He said Mohamed has six children and a brother who lives in New York. He said some of them were headed to JacksonMemorialHospital to see him.

“The law will take its course,” said Shareid. “We will see what happens. Let the law handle it. Please call the police if you have seen these guys.”

If you can help Miami Police with this case, call them or Miami-Dade Crimestoppers at (305) 471-TIPS (8477).

MIAMI (CBSMiami) – It’s cased dismissed for Miami rapper Gunplay.

On Monday, the Miami-Dade State State Attorneys Office announced that they had dropped armed robbery charges against Gunplay, whose real name is Richard Morales, despite having a surveillance video of the robbery which shows him pointing a gun at a man inside a tax preparation office in northwest Miami-Dade.

“Although the armed robbery is captured on the victim’s surveillance system, the victim, Turron Woodside, is uncooperative in the prosecution of this defendant, Richard Moralesm,” according to a close out memo on the case. “As Turron Woodside is the sole proprietor of his tax business, we have no way of getting the video recording of the crime admitted in as evidence without his testimony.”

A co-defendant, 36-year-old Randy Jones, was also charged in the robbery.

Contrary to what many people believe video alone is not enough to convict an individual of a crime beyond a reasonable doubt, according to State Attorney’s Office spokesperson Terry Chavez.

Prosecutors said after getting him to come down to the State Attorney’s Office once, Woodside refused to cooperate. He failed to appear for trial despite being served with a subpoena and even managed to avoid a State Attorney’s Office investigator who camped outside at his home to try to serve him again.

Prosecutors say the judge was not willing to issue the Rule to Show Cause without the state able to get Woodside to testify.

After a move to continue the case and one for material witness bond were denied, prosecutors decided to drop the case.

MIAMI (CBS4) – One of three suspects accused of shooting an off-duty Miami-Dade Police officer during a robbery attempt is expected to appear in a Miami courtroom Monday.

Willie Barney, 19, is charged with Attempted Murder with a Firearm and Armed Robbery with a Firearm.

His alleged accomplices, Dedrick Brown, 20, and Travares Santiago, 20, face the same charges and will be tried at a later date.  .

Prosecutors allege on September 22, 2012, Miami Dade Police Officer Herman Joseph was volunteering with his father at their church in Liberty City when the trio approached him demanding he turn over his jewelry.

“They demanded property from him,” said Rosanna Cordero-Stutz of the Miami Dade Police Department. “They took property from him and then they shot him.”

Police say it was Barney who pulled the trigger.

Officer Herman was able to call 911 on his own. Fellow officers arrived and rushed him to the Ryder Trauma center via squad car. Police across the city launched a massive manhunt and ultimately arrested Barney, Travares and Brown early the next morning.

Officer Joseph made a full recovery.

LAS VEGAS (CBSMiami/AP) — A lawyer who has hounded former South Florida resident O.J. Simpson for years to collect a multimillion-dollar civil judgment awarded after the former football star’s “trial of the century” acquittal in Los Angeles took the stand Thursday.

Attorney David Cook, who represents Fred Goldman, testified that items taken in the Las Vegas hotel room heist that put Simpson in prison didn’t really belong to him.

According to Cook, Goldman still has ownership rights to nine airless “game” football mementos that a California judge ordered returned to Simpson in 2009 — a year after Simpson was convicted of armed robbery and kidnapping in Las Vegas and sentenced to serve at least nine years behind bars.

“We have some right to the footballs if they appear on the market,” Cook said.

But Simpson testified Wednesday he would never sell what he termed his “stuff.” His lawyer Ozzie Fumo, on cross-examination, made Cook concede that the footballs were returned to Simpson’s attorney — along with neckties, awards and an autographed photo of Simpson with former FBI Chief J. Edgar Hoover.

Cook’s brief testimony came on the fourth day of a hearing to determine whether Simpson deserves a new trial on his armed robbery conviction in Las Vegas. Cook didn’t testify at the 2008 trial during which Simpson now says he was so badly represented by a lawyer who had conflicted interests that he deserves a new trial.

H. Leon Simon, attorney for the state, called Cook to the stand to refute Simpson’s testimony that he only wanted to retrieve personal belongings when he and five men confronted two sports collectibles dealers and a middleman in a Las Vegas hotel room in September 2007.

“It was my stuff. I followed what I thought was the law,” the 65-year-old former NFL star and actor testified in his first testimony in the Las Vegas case. “My lawyer told me I couldn’t break into a guy’s room. I didn’t break into anybody’s room. I didn’t try to muscle the guys. The guys had my stuff, even though they claimed they didn’t steal it.”

Simpson didn’t testify before his 1995 acquittal in Los Angeles in the slayings of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman, but did testify at the civil wrongful-death lawsuit that led to Cook’s involvement.

Cook has been representing Goldman’s father, Fred, since 2006 in efforts to collect a share of a $33.5 million judgment awarded in February 1997 to the estate of Ron Goldman and the estate of Nicole Brown Simpson.

Outside court, Cook said the original judgment of $19 million to the Goldman estate, with accumulated interest, is now more than $45 million. He said only some of it has been recovered.

“This is an eternal odyssey,” Cook said. “There is no closure here. Fred Goldman rejects closure.”

Simpson, who has been held for more than four years at a prison in Lovelock, east of Reno, has been shackled at the ankles and wrists for the hearings in Las Vegas, which began Monday. He appears grayer, bulkier and somewhat weary, but has smiled at friends and family in the courtroom.

Fumo and attorney Patricia Palm called 10 witnesses the first two days, and Simpson on Wednesday.

The focus has been on the promises, payment and performance of longtime Simpson attorney Yale Galanter, who represented Simpson at trial and stayed with the case through oral arguments in a 2010 appeal that was rejected by the Nevada Supreme Court.

Galanter, of Miami, is due to testify Friday. He has declined comment ahead of that appearance.

Besides Cook, the state on Thursday called a psychiatrist, Dr. Gregory Brown, to rebut earlier testimony from a psychiatrist, Dr. Norton Roitman, who suggested that Simpson’s perception of what happened in the hotel room may have been narrowed by sleeplessness, stress and the effects of several hours drinking alcohol before the confrontation.

Brown said he saw no obvious evidence that Simpson was impaired.

Palm called Malcom LaVergne, a lawyer who handled part of Simpson’s earlier appeal, to discuss the relationship between the football Hall of Fame star and Galanter.

LaVergne became part of Simpson’s defense after trial co-counsel Gabriel Grasso withdrew and accused Galanter of stiffing him on promised attorney fees and expenses.

On Wednesday, Simpson said he sensed that LaVergne was worried about the grip Galanter had on his case. Simpson said he later learned that while he wanted LaVergne to handle the Supreme Court oral argument, Galanter did so.

Under questioning by Palm, he addressed the main points of his writ of habeas corpus petition seeking a new trial on grounds of ineffective assistance of counsel. His points were succinct:

— His lawyer advised him he could not be convicted and urged him not to testify in his own defense. He said had he known he could be convicted, he would have testified.

— He was never told that Galanter was having preliminary discussions with prosecutors about a potential plea deal that could have limited his prison term to two to five years and perhaps resulted in probation. Prosecutors said Galanter broke off negotiations and they assumed Simpson had turned it down. If he had taken the deal, he would have been out by now.

— He met with his lawyer the night before the hotel room confrontation and informed him that he planned to reclaim his possessions from memorabilia dealers. The lawyer said he was within his rights as long as there was no trespass or violence.

“It was my stuff. I followed what I thought was the law,” the 65-year-old former NFL star and actor said. “My lawyer told me I couldn’t break into a guy’s room. I didn’t break into anybody’s room. I didn’t try to muscle the guys. The guys had my stuff, even though they claimed they didn’t steal it.”

— He had been drinking all day before the incident but his lawyer never suggested arguing that he was impaired.

— Simpson said he neither discussed nor saw any guns during the entire episode.

Simpson did acknowledge under Simon’s questioning Wednesday that he didn’t have a legal right to take some things from the Palace Station hotel room that didn’t belong to him. Simpson said he thought those items would be returned.

There is no jury in the hearing and Simpson’s fate will be determined by District Judge Linda Marie Bell. It remained unclear whether the judge plans to make an immediate ruling or issue a written order later.

While Simpson’s previous court cases were media sensations, including his 1995 acquittal in the Los Angeles killings of his ex-wife and her friend, the Las Vegas hearing drew less attention until Simpson testified and the courtroom was full.

Simpson family members and friends filled one row. A marshal turned people away, sending them to an overflow room where video was streamed live.

(TM and © Copyright 2013 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2013 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

MIAMI GARDENS (CBSMiami) – Striking new surveillance tape shows a frightening scene inside a Winn Dixie store when five employees are met by two robbers with guns.

“These employees were terrified,” said Miami Gardens Police Sgt. Bill Bamford. “They were just coming to work as they do every day and were just opening up and turning on the lights when, within seconds, they are greeted by two gunmen and they don’t know if they are going to be victims of gunshots or if they are going to lose their lives.”

The tape reveals what happened during six minutes starting at 5:58a.m. Wednesday as a manager and four employees were opening up the store at 17221 Northwest 27^th Avenue.

“What is striking is the brazen attitude of these gunmen who take almost two hours to break open a hole in the back of the building of the supermarket here in Miami Gardens,” Bamford told CBS4’s Peter D’Oench.

“Then these men lay in wait for the employees,” said Bamford. “As soon as they enter the store they are ambushed by two armed men who order them to get on the ground. The manager is pulled up from the ground and ordered to a back office to open up the safe, while a handgun is pointed at him.”

“The manager is able to open the safe and is then ordered to the ground again by one suspect who even brings his own duffel bag,” said Bamford.

The suspect is seen removing an unknown amount of cash from the safe.

He and his accomplice flee, leaving through the same hole in the wall in the back of the store.

“It’s really important to get these people off the street,” he said. “Here are two individuals who really don’t care about anyone else. They just want to make a fast buck. They are putting innocent lives in jeopardy and affecting their families and if this happens again, you never know what can happen.”

Bamford said, “Anyone who sees this tape or notices their mannerisms or knows about two guys who were out like this after midnight or a saw a car leaving the parking lot of this store just after 6 in the morning should call police or Crimestoppers.”

Bamford said it’s not known if the suspects have committed any other similar crimes. Since they were wearing masks, it’s not known if their faces had any distinguishing marks.

As Miami Gardens Police detectives combed the store for evidence and clues on Wednesday afternoon, store customers said they were concerned about the incident.

“It was pretty scary. I saw detectives all over the store. The customers are all very concerned about it,” said Marie Isidron.

Another Winn Dixie shopper who did not want to be identified told D’Oench, “It’s typical of things going on these days. It’s typical of the world we are living in.”

D’Oench also spoke to a Brian Wright, a Winn Dixie spokesman at its Jacksonville headquarters. Wright said, “We are going to leave this to the work of law enforcement and will not comment. I can tell you that no one was injured.”

Wright was not able to say how much cash was taken.

Sgt. Bamford encourages that anyone with any information should call Miami Gardens Police or Miami-Dade Crimestoppers at (305) 471—tips (8477).

NORTH MIAMI BEACH (CBS4) – Striking new surveillance tape shows how close a 50-year-old 7-Eleven Store clerk came to losing his life early Wednesday morning as a handgun is held to his neck by a robber.

“I was so scared about it,” says clerk Edner Leblanc in an exclusive interview with CBS4’s Peter D’Oench.

It is unusual for 7-Eleven store clerks to speak out on camera after such  crimes because of a company policy that discourages that but Leblanc spoke with CBS4 because he hopes his comments will lead to the capture of the two men.

He says they are both 20 to 26 years old and are short. They are about five foot, four inches tall each.

The surveillance tape shows the men racing into the store just before 3:15 last Wednesday morning on West Dixie Highway and Northeast 151^st Street. They are dressed in black and are wearing masks and waving their handguns.

“They told me to open the cash register for them,” said Leblanc. “I had to do it many times as the guy was holding a gun to my neck until I could open it. They grabbed the money and left the store,” he said.

The surveillance video captures one gunman holding his handgun to Leblanc’s neck for more than 30 seconds. They are in the store for less than two minutes and leave with $60, according to a police report.

Anyone with information is urged to call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at (305) 471-TIPS.

DEERFIELD BEACH (CBS4) - A Deerfield Beach AT&T store was robbed at gunpoint Wednesday afternoon, a spokesman for the Broward Sheriff’s Office said.

The robbery at 411 S. Federal Highway was the latest in what seems to be a growing trend of wireless store crimes.

In this case, 11 employees and at least 1 customer were forced into a backroom during the robbery, BSO Spokesman Mike Jachels said.

One employee managed to sneak out and ask a neighboring business for help.

“You just don’t expect someone to come in and say we’re being robbed next door,” Michael Bozworth said.

Bozworth and his co-worker Christie O’Connor were just feet away from the violent crime in progress.

“We were right here,” O’Connor said. “Guy comes in, says he works for AT&T. (He) says there’s an armed robbery. They’re holding them at gunpoint. Can you call 911.”

The men held their shirts over their faces, Jachels explained.

“We saw two guys carrying black garbage bags running out to their black SUV and taking off,” O’Connor said.

Those bags were filled with cell phones.

BSO deputies later tracked down two men in Pompano beach.

Boxes of cell phones were found in their car.

Investigators were looking into the possibility these men are connected to other crimes.

“We had the attempted robbery of a Sprint store in Pompano and a suspicious incident, that’s what we’re calling it at this time, at another Sprint store in Pompano, all Wednesday morning,” Jachels said.  “These are violent criminals that are going to into cell phone stores with guns.”

In this latest robbery, stunned employees left feeling grateful.

“We’re okay. So thank you,” one woman said before driving off.

Deputies are still searching for a 1999 Chevrolet Suburban SUV in connection to the case.

Anyone with information should call Broward Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS.

HIALEAH (CBSMiami) – Police have arrested a man in connection to an armed carjacking that occurred Wednesday in Hialeah.

Corey Berry, 19, was detained in the area of NW 12^th Avenue and 54^th Street in Miami, according to officials.

Officials were looking for Berry since June 5^th  for his connection to an attempted armed carjacking robbery that occurred in the parking lot of 6175 W. 20^th Avenue in Hialeah.

The male victim, according to reports, was unloading items from the trunk of his vehicle, at approximately 10:40 AM, when Berry approached him with a gun.

Berry reportedly took the victim’s car keys and attempted to start the car.

When the car failed to start, Berry took off on foot with the keys to the car.

Approximately 10-mintues after his first attempted carjacking, Berry confronted a second male victim who had just arrived at his home at 1670 W. 62 Street.

Berry stole the man’s 2007 silver Toyota Yaris.

Officials were looking for Berry and the vehicle immediately after the incident but he wasn’t caught until Saturday.

Berry was driving the stolen vehicle when he was caught. Hialeah Detectives gathered sufficient evidence to arrest him.

Berry, who was already on probation for an armed carjacking that occurred in 2009, is charged with multiple charges: two counts of armed robbery, one count of attempted carjacking, one count of carjacking and four counts of probation violation.