Harlem Liquor Store Owner Robbed Twice After Replacing 'Ghetto' Security Gate

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Police are looking for suspects who they say are wanted for breaking in to the same liquor store twice within a week.

Police said the burglaries happened at Freeland Liquor & Wine on Lenox Avenue in Harlem.

When the liquor store opened three months ago, some of the neighbors complained it looked "too ghetto," with its neon sign and rolled-down metal security gate.

1010 WINS' Carol D'Auria Speaks With The Liquor Store Owner

So to please them, the new owner, Berihu Mesfin, got rid of the sign and changed the metal gate for one that looked more like a chain-link.

"They cut the gate and then they drilled the door and they took about $4,500 money and then about 180 bottles of the expensive liquors," Mesfin told 1010 WINS' Carol D'Auria.

Investigators said around 1 a.m. on March 17, two suspects cut the security gate, broke into the store and stole liquor and cash. Then a few days later on March 22, police said three suspects cut the security gate again and broke into the store, taking more liquor and cash.

Police said both burglaries were caught on surveillance video.

Mesfin said the area is a great place to do business and he loves his customers, but now, he has reinstalled a metal security gate.

Anyone with information should call police or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or visit www.nypdcrimestoppers.com.