Police Release New Images From Series Of Smash & Grab Burglaries
DENVER (CBS4) – Police in Denver investigated another series of break-ins early Wednesday morning they believe may be related to another set of burglaries that happened over the weekend.
The most recent break-ins happened at a strip mall near Hampden and Fairfax that include Starbucks, The Papery and Happy Canyon Flower Shop.
The doors were smashed in and the thief or thieves went directly for the cash registers , only taking a few hundred dollars from the flower shop.
Many of the businesses have been located in the shopping center for 30 years and say they've never had any problems with crime before. Business owners are concerned for their safety because of the rise in smash and grab type burglaries in the area.
"It's very upsetting, I often times comes to work early but I think from now on I should not be here that early," said Happy Canyon Flowers owner Kay Hall. "Very sad that someone does that but I guess they hit other stores and numerous ones in the area… unfortunate that people have to do that but fortunate that it isn't worse."
Shirley Smith is the Owner of the Papery. She wants the thieves to know what they did was destructive. "If you thought you were having fun, there's no too many that would share your point of view because of damage caused to someone else's hard work."
Investigators believe those burglaries on Wednesday morning could be linked to three other stores that were targeted Sunday night, making a total of six businesses that were hit.
Those businesses are located near Hampden and Monaco and include a Taziki restaurant.
Police do not have a suspect description but they believe the burglaries could be connected to three others with similar circumstances. Investigators released two surveillance photos of a man believed to have burglarized the Starbucks.
Additional Information From The Denver Police Department
Remain anonymous and earn up to $2,000. Call Crime Stoppers at (720) 913-STOP (7867). Text to CRIMES (274637) then title DMCS and enter the message, or send an e-mail to metro-denvercrimestoppers.com; or use the Metro Denver Crime Stoppers mobile app which is immediately available as a free download on smartphones.
Jennifer Brice is a reporter with CBS4 focusing on crime and courts. Follow her on Facebook or on Twitter @CBS4Jenn.
