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Thieves Crash Into Vape Store, Steal Thousands In Products

By Andrea Flores

THORNTON, Colo. (CBS4)- Thornton police are working to track down the burglars who crashed their car into Elite Vapes last Monday and took off with thousands of dollars in merchandise.

Ann Fulgham, owner of Elite Vapes located in Thornton's Mission Trace North Shopping Center, says this is the third time in less than a year her store has been broken into.

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Surveillance video of the break-in at Elite Vapes in Thornton (credit: CBS)

Around 3:45 a.m. last Monday, Fulgham says surveillance video caught burglars breaking into her store.

"It was a smash and grab, but they did it with a car," said Fulgham. "They came in wearing Halloween masks so we can't identify anybody."

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CBS4's Andrea Flores interviews Ann Fulgham, owner of Elite Vapes. (credit: CBS)

The thieves busted windows, broke frames and got away with more than $2,000 in goods.

"Primarily what we lost in here was equipment that we use to help our customers learn about our product," said Fulgham.

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Elite Vapes in Thornton (credit: CBS)

Fulgham says the cash register was left untouched. She believes the suspects may be under age.

"Anybody that comes in here is carded, and if they're not 18, they get sent out," Fulgham said. "Had they been in here and looked around before, they would have known where all our good stuff was and would have gone after that versus our used equipment."

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Elite Vapes in Thornton (credit: CBS)

This isn't the first time Fulgham's store has been targeted.

More than $6,000 in merchandise was taken in two separate smash and grabs, all in less than a year.

"We recovered and we thought we nipped it in the bud, until they drove a car into us," Fulgham said.

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Surveillance video of the break-in at Elite Vapes in Thornton (credit: CBS)

Now, Fulgham says she's left to wonder what more she can do to protect her store.

"I know that we lock the door every night and I know that we set an alarm," said Fulgham. "What do we do to keep them from driving a car into the shop? I don't know."

Fulgham has filed a report with Thornton police, but says the suspects are still at large.

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CBS4's Andrea Flores interviews Ann Fulgham, owner of Elite Vapes. (credit: CBS)

She's hoping the shopping center will increase parking lot patrols to crack down on break-ins at multiple businesses in the area.

Andrea Flores is a reporter for CBS4. Follow her on Facebook and Twitter @AndreaFloresTV.

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