Officer Investigating Smash & Grabs: 'It's Definitely Got Our Attention'

By Tom Mustin

SHERIDAN, Colo. (CBS4) - There have been 23 so-called smash-and-grab burglaries in the metro area in the past week.

Crushed glass and a broken cash register told the story of two more -- this time in Sheridan.

"Pretty brazen," said TruckLogic.com store manager Warren Reyna.

Early Monday morning a hooded figure was seen on surveillance video after using a rock to smash the glass door of the Verizon store on River Point Parkway.

"They took an iPhone that they were able to get off a display, they weren't able to get another one. They took some fake tablets that we had, so they're not even working or real," Verizon store manager Sade Weisheipl said.

At approximately the same time, in the same shopping center, someone smashed the glass at the TruckLogic.com store, stealing $200 in cash.

Reyna told CBS4's Tom Mustin it's obvious the criminal knows he's being watched.

"He wears a full mask and gloves. He wears gloves. He's pretty on to the fact that they're looking for various ways to catch him," Reyna said.

Reyna says after so many similar burglaries in the past week, he and his fellow business owners have had enough.

"I would really enjoy it if they could get a hold of these characters who are doing it, because as we know there have been several of these going on. It's a recurring theme," he said.

So are the cases related? Sheridan Police Cmdr. Bruce Williamson says his department is talking with detectives in Englewood and Denver. He believes it's too early to link all of the cases, but there are some striking similarities.

"It's definitely got our attention," said Williamson." It's very possible they're all related. Whether it's more than one person or the same person or a group ... it's very possible."

Meanwhile with no leads and no suspects, shop employees like Weisheipl are on alert.

"I hope it stops. I hope they get caught here soon," she said.

The suspect in the Verizon store burglary is described as being 5-foot-6 to 5-foot-11 with a thin build. The suspect was wearing "a distinctive, purple and green winter jacket and gloves," according to police.

Anyone with information in these cases is asked to call local police or Crime Stoppers at 720-913-STOP

Tom Mustin is CBS4's Weekend Anchor. He has been with CBS4 since 2002, and is always looking for great story ideas. Follow Tom on Twitter @TomCBS4.