Police: Burglars Break Into At Least 7 Brooklyn Businesses
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) – Police are searching for the suspects behind a series of commercial burglaries in Brooklyn.
The men have broken into at least seven businesses since Dec. 8, police say.
Surveillance video from the first incident shows the suspects inside Harvest Grocery in Sheepshead Bay. One can be seen using a broom to try to cover the security camera.
Owner Gary Chen told CBS2's Jenna DeAngelis the men jumped a fence and broke the back door before stealing about $3,000 in cash and cigarettes.
"Just terrible," he said.
Just over a week later, police say the suspects broke into A Beauty & Spa and JM Beauty Spa, both in Bensonhurst.
Later that week, they allegedly burglarized the Pescada restaurant in Midwood. On Dec. 28, police say they forced their way into another nearby business, Choice French Cleaners, and then Lucky 7 Smoke Shop & Deli back in Sheepshead Bay.
"It feels really bad before the New Year," Lucky 7 owner Hasnain Pervaiz told DeAngelis. "They took a lot of stuff. They took a safe, they took lottery money."
Pervaiz said he showed up for work and found the ATM knocked off and security cameras broken. He said he also caught the burglars in the act.
"They came through the wall and then they used tools to break the door," he said. "They ran and I ran."
The latest break-in happened on New Year's Eve at Sneaker Corner, also in Midwood.
Police say the men stole money, credit cards, surveillance equipment, cigarettes, lottery tickets and clothing.
"I hope they do catch them, because obviously if they get away, they're going to keep coming back for more," said Pervaiz.
All of the burglaries happened in the early morning hours when the businesses were closed.
Anyone with information about the suspects is asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), or 1-888-57-PISTA (74782) for Spanish. The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers website, on Twitter @NYPDTips or by texting them to 274637 (CRIMES) then enter TIP577.
