Man charged after missing crowbar report

LAUDERDALE LAKES, Fla., Feb. 28 (UPI) -- A Florida man who reported a missing crowbar to police faces charges after he allegedly admitted that the tool was used in two home invasions.

Nathaniel Lee Smith, 29, of Lauderdale Lakes, called police to report the missing crowbar, along with other personal items, the South Florida Sun Sentinel said.

"A small crowbar, a miniature crowbar, uh, my black skully was with my book bag, uh, my wallet is missing, everything," Smith is heard saying in a 911 tape released Wednesday.

Mike Jachles, a spokesman with the Broward Sheriff's Office, said investigators looked into Smith's claim, but in the end did not believe him.

Smith then allegedly admitted he made up the theft to cover for the crowbar and skullcap after he dropped them during an attempted home invasion.

Smith allegedly admitted to using the crowbar in two robberies. The first was on Sunday at the Hawaiian Gardens condominium. A gunman with a crowbar entered a condo and ordered residents to the floor. The man rummaged through the home, taking jewelry, cash, cellphones and a laptop, officials said. No one was injured in the incident.

The second incident happened Tuesday at another condominium.

Residents Jacques Baillargeon and Louise Morin were relaxing with their front door open when a gunman carrying a crowbar stormed in. Baillargeon, 66, sprayed the gunman in the face with window cleaner and managed to disarmed the suspect, who then fled, dropping the crowbar and skull cap, Jachles said.

Smith was charged with kidnapping and armed home invasion and was being held at the Broward Main Jail without bond.