Pierre Jules LaCroze, a 37-year-old resident of North Lauderdale, Florida, tragically lost his life on July 16, 2020. LaCroze was found dead in his car in the Winner's Way parking garage of the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Florida. The incident occurred shortly after midnight, and LaCroze was discovered with a gunshot wound to his head. Broken jewelry was found nearby, suggesting a possible robbery.
Surveillance footage captured two men and a woman in the vicinity of the crime scene, with one of the men later identified as Dion Brown, 21, fleeing the area in a Ford Focus.
The investigation into LaCroze's death led to the arrests of Dion Brown and Jaleel Arnett Thomas, 25, several months later. Both men were charged with felony murder with a firearm. Brown was apprehended near Orlando on December 2, 2020, while Thomas was arrested in Fort Lauderdale on November 24, 2020. The arrests were the result of a collaborative effort involving multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Seminole Police Department, the Broward Sheriff's Office, the FBI, and the U.S. Marshals Service. The suspects were identified through surveillance footage and tips from the public, including information from a woman who was with them on the night of the murder.
The case against Brown and Thomas is ongoing, with both suspects being held without bond. The motive for the murder appears to be robbery, as indicated by the broken jewelry found at the scene. LaCroze's family, including his mother, has been vocal in seeking justice for his death, urging those responsible to come forward. The community's response and the extensive media coverage have played a crucial role in advancing the investigation and bringing the suspects to justice.
