MIRAMAR, FLA. (WSVN) - The owner of a South Florida smoke shop is hoping clear surveillance video will help police catch the burglar seen smashing his way into the business and taking off with thousands of dollars in merchandise.
The owner of The Lab Smoke Shops location in Miramar spoke with 7News on Wednesday about the early Monday morning break-in.
“The world has changed, so people think that it’s normal to do this stuff, and then sometimes they don’t get caught, which sucks,” she said.
The security footage captured the perpetrator using some sort of object to break the front door of the shop, located off Miramar Parkway and University Drive, at around 3:30 a.m.
“He basically took like a brick and broke the front door and just came straight in,” said the owner.
Once inside, interior surveillance cameras captured the burglar snatching up items throughout the store.
The owner said the crook got away with a little more $11,000 in merchandise like bags and vapes, as well as cash.
The owner said she has reported the burglary to Miramar Police, adding this is the not the first time thieves have targeted the business over the past year.
“Unfortunately, this is the third time the business gets targeted. It’s very frustrating, especially with the economy and everything going on right now. It’s hard to keep a business flowing,” she said.
While she does not believe the subject in Monday’s burglary is the same as in the previous incidents, the owner said she wants the break-ins to stop.
“For someone just to come into your store, which is basically like your home, and do all the stuff he did — took over $11,000 worth of stuff, came in at 3:30 in the morning, spent a few minutes in here — coming in the next day and seeing, like, someone robbed the store, you’re coming in, you’re seeing all this stuff all over the floor, you don’t feel safe anymore,” she said.
The owner is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to the subject’s capture.
“If he gets caught, it will just spread awareness for people to be like, ‘Damn, I got caught. It’s just not worth it; let’s stop doing this,'” she said. “It’s common now for smoke shops, for businesses to get robbed, so we hope to put a stop to it.”
Miramar Police have confirmed they are investigating the incident.
If you have any information on this burglary or the subject’s whereabouts, call Miramar Police at 954-602-4000 or Broward County Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a reward of up to $6,000.
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