Town Center At Boca Raton
Retail Fraud Investigation
CLASSIFICATION: Serial Homicide
LOCATION
Boca Raton, Florida
TIME PERIOD
2007
VICTIMS
3 confirmed
On October 15, 2023, at approximately 3:45 PM, a robbery occurred at the Town Center at Boca Raton, specifically at the Nordstrom store located at 6000 Glades Road, Boca Raton, Florida. Two male suspects entered the store, threatened employees with a firearm, and stole several high-value items before fleeing the scene in a stolen vehicle. The suspects are described as being in their late twenties, one wearing a black hoodie and the other in a gray jacket. As of the current status, law enforcement is actively pursuing leads based on surveillance footage and witness statements, but no arrests have been made. Significant evidence includes security camera footage capturing the suspects' actions and the vehicle's license plate prior to the theft.
Community analysis and theories will be displayed here when available.
The Haunting Chronicles of Town Center at Boca Raton
An Upscale Oasis
Nestled in the heart of Boca Raton, Florida, approximately 30 miles south of West Palm Beach and 20 miles north of Fort Lauderdale, lies the elegant Town Center at Boca Raton. This sophisticated shopping destination, often simply referred to as Town Center, has been the pride of the community since its inception. Owned and managed by the Simon Property Group since 1998, the mall boasts a roster of prestigious anchor stores: Macy's, Nordstrom, Bloomingdale's, Neiman Marcus, and Saks Fifth Avenue. It stands as the largest conventional enclosed shopping mall in Palm Beach County and the third largest by square footage in South Florida, trailing only behind Sawgrass Mills and Aventura Mall.
Architectural Marvel and Evolution
The Town Center at Boca Raton opened its doors on August 13, 1980, strategically placed just west of Interstate 95 on Glades Road. Originally, this one-story shopping haven was anchored by Florida's own Burdines, a pioneer constructed in June 1979, setting the stage for the mall's grand opening. Jordan Marsh and Sears soon followed as the second and third anchors respectively, debuting on October 29, 1980. The mall's design embraced a Mediterranean Revival theme, complete with a round black station clock, lush vegetation beneath a series of atriums, and enchanting wishing fountains.
Federated Stores, the parent company of Burdines, developed the mall on land owned by Arvida Corp., marking it as a retail nucleus for the burgeoning western Boca Raton area. Over the years, the mall evolved into a super-regional shopping center, undergoing several transformations due to mergers, acquisitions, and strategic relocations. In 1991, Jordan Marsh closed its doors following Allied Stores' decisions, making way for Mervyns in 1992. However, Mervyns too closed in 1995, giving rise to a larger Saks Fifth Avenue by 1999, complete with an additional floor and a new parking deck.
The turn of the millennium brought more changes when Florida's first Nordstrom store opened in 2000, prompting a comprehensive mall renovation and parking restructuring. Bloomingdale's and Saks underwent refurbishments, while Neiman Marcus found its home in 2005, replacing the shuttered Lord & Taylor. The Burdines location transitioned to Burdines-Macy's in 2003 before becoming simply Macy's in 2005. Additional enhancements included a reconfigured food court, new mall entrances with sun canopies, and decorative towers. By 2007, The Terrace at Town Center opened, featuring Crate & Barrel and Youfit Health Clubs, alongside Macy's expansion to a third floor.
A Shadow Over Paradise: The 2007 Murders
The year 2007 cast a dark shadow over Town Center when a series of gruesome murders captured national attention. It began in March when a 52-year-old woman was kidnapped and murdered. Come December, horror struck again as 47-year-old Nancy Bochicchio and her 7-year-old daughter, Joey, were discovered bound and shot in the head in Bochicchio's SUV in the mall's parking lot. Their tragic deaths echoed a similar incident from August 2007, where a mother and her 2-year-old son were kidnapped, tied up in their car, and forced to withdraw cash from an ATM by a male assailant.
These chilling cases garnered the attention of America's Most Wanted, prompting host John Walsh to voice fears of a serial killer operating in Boca Raton. Although no definitive forensic evidence connected the murders, the similarities led investigators to suspect a common perpetrator. These cases, however, remain unsolved to this day.
In a sinister twist, Israel Keyes, a man with a penchant for traveling far from home to commit random murders, emerged as a possible suspect. Arrested in 2012 for a murder in Alaska, Keyes took his own life in prison after confessing to several killings. His known travels and modus operandi could not completely rule him out as the Boca killer, particularly given his habit of using ATMs linked to his victims.
A Frightful Night: The 2019 Active Shooter Scare
On the evening of October 13, 2019, panic swept through Town Center as shoppers reported sounds akin to gunfire. This led to a swift response by SWAT teams who conducted thorough grid searches, evacuating patrons and employees store by store. Despite the chaos, investigators found no evidence of gunfire. The incident was later attributed to a janitor whose trash cart inadvertently popped a balloon, sparking the unfounded alarm. The only injury reported was a man who sustained a trauma wound after colliding with a door during the panic.
Isolated Violence: The 2022 Shooting
Violence reared its head again on April 6, 2022, when a shooting on mall property resulted in a leg injury to one individual. This prompted a swift lockdown and a significant police presence. Though the mall briefly descended into a state of containment, the incident was quickly deemed isolated, allowing life to return to normal.
An Ever-Evolving Landscape
Despite its tumultuous history, Town Center at Boca Raton continues to thrive and adapt. By 2023, in the wake of government lockdowns, the mall unveiled a host of new additions, including Offline by Aerie, Laderach, Garage, Honey Birdette, Blue Nile, ThirdLove, Marc Jacobs, Vince, and innovative store formats for Lululemon Athletica and Cartier.
As Town Center marches forward, it remains a testament to both resilience and luxury, drawing shoppers and visitors eager to experience its upscale offerings amid an aura of enduring mystery.
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First Kidnapping and Murder
A 52-year-old woman is kidnapped and murdered at the mall.
Mother and Daughter Murdered
Nancy Bochicchio and her 7-year-old daughter are kidnapped and found murdered in their SUV.
Another Kidnapping Incident
A woman and her 2-year-old son are kidnapped in a similar incident at the mall.
Israel Keyes Considered a Suspect
Israel Keyes is identified as a possible suspect in the Boca murders.
Active Shooter Scare
A loud noise causes panic, leading to a mall-wide evacuation; no gunfire found.
Shooting Incident
A shooting occurs at the mall, injuring one person; incident categorized as isolated.
On October 15, 2023, at approximately 3:45 PM, a robbery occurred at the Town Center at Boca Raton, specifically at the Nordstrom store located at 6000 Glades Road, Boca Raton, Florida. Two male suspects entered the store, threatened employees with a firearm, and stole several high-value items before fleeing the scene in a stolen vehicle. The suspects are described as being in their late twenties, one wearing a black hoodie and the other in a gray jacket. As of the current status, law enforcement is actively pursuing leads based on surveillance footage and witness statements, but no arrests have been made. Significant evidence includes security camera footage capturing the suspects' actions and the vehicle's license plate prior to the theft.
Community analysis and theories will be displayed here when available.
The Haunting Chronicles of Town Center at Boca Raton
An Upscale Oasis
Nestled in the heart of Boca Raton, Florida, approximately 30 miles south of West Palm Beach and 20 miles north of Fort Lauderdale, lies the elegant Town Center at Boca Raton. This sophisticated shopping destination, often simply referred to as Town Center, has been the pride of the community since its inception. Owned and managed by the Simon Property Group since 1998, the mall boasts a roster of prestigious anchor stores: Macy's, Nordstrom, Bloomingdale's, Neiman Marcus, and Saks Fifth Avenue. It stands as the largest conventional enclosed shopping mall in Palm Beach County and the third largest by square footage in South Florida, trailing only behind Sawgrass Mills and Aventura Mall.
Architectural Marvel and Evolution
The Town Center at Boca Raton opened its doors on August 13, 1980, strategically placed just west of Interstate 95 on Glades Road. Originally, this one-story shopping haven was anchored by Florida's own Burdines, a pioneer constructed in June 1979, setting the stage for the mall's grand opening. Jordan Marsh and Sears soon followed as the second and third anchors respectively, debuting on October 29, 1980. The mall's design embraced a Mediterranean Revival theme, complete with a round black station clock, lush vegetation beneath a series of atriums, and enchanting wishing fountains.
Federated Stores, the parent company of Burdines, developed the mall on land owned by Arvida Corp., marking it as a retail nucleus for the burgeoning western Boca Raton area. Over the years, the mall evolved into a super-regional shopping center, undergoing several transformations due to mergers, acquisitions, and strategic relocations. In 1991, Jordan Marsh closed its doors following Allied Stores' decisions, making way for Mervyns in 1992. However, Mervyns too closed in 1995, giving rise to a larger Saks Fifth Avenue by 1999, complete with an additional floor and a new parking deck.
The turn of the millennium brought more changes when Florida's first Nordstrom store opened in 2000, prompting a comprehensive mall renovation and parking restructuring. Bloomingdale's and Saks underwent refurbishments, while Neiman Marcus found its home in 2005, replacing the shuttered Lord & Taylor. The Burdines location transitioned to Burdines-Macy's in 2003 before becoming simply Macy's in 2005. Additional enhancements included a reconfigured food court, new mall entrances with sun canopies, and decorative towers. By 2007, The Terrace at Town Center opened, featuring Crate & Barrel and Youfit Health Clubs, alongside Macy's expansion to a third floor.
A Shadow Over Paradise: The 2007 Murders
The year 2007 cast a dark shadow over Town Center when a series of gruesome murders captured national attention. It began in March when a 52-year-old woman was kidnapped and murdered. Come December, horror struck again as 47-year-old Nancy Bochicchio and her 7-year-old daughter, Joey, were discovered bound and shot in the head in Bochicchio's SUV in the mall's parking lot. Their tragic deaths echoed a similar incident from August 2007, where a mother and her 2-year-old son were kidnapped, tied up in their car, and forced to withdraw cash from an ATM by a male assailant.
These chilling cases garnered the attention of America's Most Wanted, prompting host John Walsh to voice fears of a serial killer operating in Boca Raton. Although no definitive forensic evidence connected the murders, the similarities led investigators to suspect a common perpetrator. These cases, however, remain unsolved to this day.
In a sinister twist, Israel Keyes, a man with a penchant for traveling far from home to commit random murders, emerged as a possible suspect. Arrested in 2012 for a murder in Alaska, Keyes took his own life in prison after confessing to several killings. His known travels and modus operandi could not completely rule him out as the Boca killer, particularly given his habit of using ATMs linked to his victims.
A Frightful Night: The 2019 Active Shooter Scare
On the evening of October 13, 2019, panic swept through Town Center as shoppers reported sounds akin to gunfire. This led to a swift response by SWAT teams who conducted thorough grid searches, evacuating patrons and employees store by store. Despite the chaos, investigators found no evidence of gunfire. The incident was later attributed to a janitor whose trash cart inadvertently popped a balloon, sparking the unfounded alarm. The only injury reported was a man who sustained a trauma wound after colliding with a door during the panic.
Isolated Violence: The 2022 Shooting
Violence reared its head again on April 6, 2022, when a shooting on mall property resulted in a leg injury to one individual. This prompted a swift lockdown and a significant police presence. Though the mall briefly descended into a state of containment, the incident was quickly deemed isolated, allowing life to return to normal.
An Ever-Evolving Landscape
Despite its tumultuous history, Town Center at Boca Raton continues to thrive and adapt. By 2023, in the wake of government lockdowns, the mall unveiled a host of new additions, including Offline by Aerie, Laderach, Garage, Honey Birdette, Blue Nile, ThirdLove, Marc Jacobs, Vince, and innovative store formats for Lululemon Athletica and Cartier.
As Town Center marches forward, it remains a testament to both resilience and luxury, drawing shoppers and visitors eager to experience its upscale offerings amid an aura of enduring mystery.
Sources
No Recent News
No recent news articles found for this case. Check back later for updates.
No Evidence Submitted
No evidence found for this case. Be the first to submit evidence in the comments below.
Join the discussion
Loading comments...
First Kidnapping and Murder
A 52-year-old woman is kidnapped and murdered at the mall.
Mother and Daughter Murdered
Nancy Bochicchio and her 7-year-old daughter are kidnapped and found murdered in their SUV.
Another Kidnapping Incident
A woman and her 2-year-old son are kidnapped in a similar incident at the mall.
Israel Keyes Considered a Suspect
Israel Keyes is identified as a possible suspect in the Boca murders.
Active Shooter Scare
A loud noise causes panic, leading to a mall-wide evacuation; no gunfire found.
Shooting Incident
A shooting occurs at the mall, injuring one person; incident categorized as isolated.