San Francisco police investigate smash-and-grab at Music Lovers
SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- The owner of a high-end audio video store is adding up the damage from a smash-and-grab burglary in San Francisco. Investigators will be looking at surveillance video in the hopes of identifying those behind a brazen theft. It's just the latest targeting electronic retailers in the Bay Area.
The owner tells ABC7 News that the thieves took very expensive equipment. Three people broke into the store, working as a team and going through the entire store very quickly before police arrived.
They shattered the window and stormed in at 4 a.m., grabbing speakers and amplifiers even as the alarm was signaling for help. A witness said it looked like they knew what they were doing.
"I woke up to a crashing, breaking glass noise," said San Francisco resident Jarrod Hatfield. "Ran to my window, saw three men in long overcoats coats. They had like ski masks or bandannas on so couldn't see their face. And winter hats on."
The owner of Music Lovers at Bush and Steiner says this is the second time his store has been hit this month, with each happening at 4 a.m.
He's not alone. This is one of at least half a dozen electronic stores in the city and on the Peninsula that have been victims of smash and grabs within the last month.
"Obviously we are going to try look at the connection if there is a connection," said Sgt. Dean Marcic. "If there is no connection, we are obviously gonna go in any direction to apprehend the suspects."
While police look for clues, they also suggest the stores try a variety of security measures.
"It would behoove people to get audio visual surveillance in their systems, in their stores," Marcic said. "Hopefully that would kinda deter some people. But, you know, high-end or high end stores like this, put grates over their windows."
The owner of Music Lovers is considering iron bars, but bars didn't stop the bad guys from getting into Audio Vision on California Street near Polk Street last week. The thieves just used a truck to break through them.
Business owners are hoping police can catch the thieves selling the equipment, possibly online.
The Music Lovers owner saw his stolen inventory on the website AudiogoN the last time this happened to him.
"We'll be on Craigslist, eBay, you name it we'll be looking," Marcic said. "You know, local flea markets, what have you. They're out there."
An evidence team arrived late Wednesday morning to process the scene and see if the thieves left any trace behind.
The owner tells ABC7 News he switched security systems after the first break-in. This new system had been in place for one day. He says he got notified more quickly this time, but it still didn't stop them from sweeping through his store.
