Fugitive wanted in armed heist believed to be hiding in Brevard Co.

BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — The U.S. Marshal's Fugitive Task Force is searching the South Brevard County area for a suspect wanted in connection with an armed robbery and armed kidnapping in South Florida.

Wanted by U.S. Marshals and Coral Springs Police, Luke Desir, 34, is considered armed and dangerous.

According to investigators, Desir lives in Palm Bay with family and has friends in the area.

"He has a residence here. People have seen him in the area. Actually last night, we did see him about 7 or 8 o'clock at night." Said Det. Chris Collins of the Southeast Regional Fugitive Task Force.

Authorities tracked Desir down in the Palm Bay area Thursday, but he got away.

Desir is one of three people who detectives said was caught on surveillance video holding up a T-Mobile store in Coral Springs in January.

The video shows the group walking around the store for around a half-hour. A woman distracted store workers, according to detectives, while Desir and another man forced the employees to take them to the back storage room. Once in the back of the store, investigators said the men tied up the employees and stole dozens of cellphones.

Detectives believe the trio may be part of an organized group of thieves operating in South Florida.

Anyone with information on Desir's whereabouts is asked to call CRIMELINE at 1-800-423-TIPS. Callers are eligible for cash rewards up to $1,000.

"First and foremost, if they know exactly where he's at, get an immediate police response. He is considered armed and dangerous," said Collins.

Investigators said Desir doesn't have a criminal history, but they have a felony warrant for him now.

WFTV