Over the past two weeks a string of burglaries have taken place at stores and restaurants all over the neighborhood. The My Ballard team has caught wind of at least five separate incidents within central Ballard alone and at this stage it is unclear whether they are connected.
Gavin DeCantillon, the manager of the Sexton (5327 Ballard Ave NW), emailed in to report that a burglary occurred on their premises at approximately 4:45am on Monday, September 8th. The burglar reportedly picked the lock and proceeded to clear out the till, which luckily only contained change and rubber bands. The burglar then located and stole their lock box which had cash from the weekend and employee tips that had yet to be collected.
The burglar was caught on camera (see above photo from surveillance footage) and the SPD have been notified about the incident. “They sent a patrol car, took my statement and issued a case number; I have yet to hear from the detectives,” writes DeCantillon.
Overnight, Twice Sold Tales and Bauhaus Coffee (corner of NW Market St and 20th Ave NW) were also burglarized. A burglar broke in to Twice Sold Tales and took all the cash from the register and laptop before preceding to exit through Bauhaus Coffee stealing $700 worth of cigarettes on the way.
“It seems as if burglaries are really on the increase in the neighborhood,” says Bauhaus manager Carrie Wallace.
KIRO 7 also reports that incidents of cigarette burglary are on the increase in the neighborhood. According to the report, King Smoke Shop (7758 15th Ave NW) was burglarized at about 3:45 a.m. on Sunday morning. Two burglars wearing hoods reportedly pried open the doors with a crowbar and stole between $30,000 and $60,000 of cigarette merchandise (see snapshot from surveillance footage below).
“You see two people with garbage bags, breaking in and taking my merchandise that I pay for, it’s kind of aggravating,” Hassan Pasha, owner of King Smoke Shop, told KIRO 7 reporters. Pasha reported that this is the third time this year that his store has been burglarized.
KIRO 7 also reports that over a month ago another nearby store was targeted by cigarette burglars. Store owner Steven Sale viewed surveillance footage of a man smashing the store’s front window before taking $3,000 worth of cigarettes off the shelves.
“When you see someone getting into your property, you feel violated,” Sale told KIRO 7.
With the increase of burglaries in the neighborhood, local business owners are encouraged to take all cash off premises after hours, ensure that security measures are in place and that entrances are securely locked after the business in closed.
If you know any information regarding the above incidents please call the SPD North Precinct at (206) 684-0850.
Sexton surveillance footage photo courtesy of Gavin DeCantillon. King Smoke Shop surveillance footage photo courtesy of KIRO 7.
