A brazen attempt to burglarize a Detroit pawn shop was thwarted on Monday when two young suspects, wielding nothing more than a hammer and a large wooden stick, attempted to smash their way to valuables, authorities report. According to CBS News Detroit, the incident occurred at a pawn shop located in the 21700 block of W. 8 Mile Road at about 2:23 p.m., where the pair smashed some of the jewelry cases before being stopped by the store owner.
The suspects, described as both male and between 16 to 18 years old, fled the scene on foot and have yet to be apprehended; one was wearing a blue Nike hooded sweatshirt, blue pants, and red and white Nike shoes, the other was sporting a gray Nike hooded sweatshirt, blue jeans, and black, red, and white Nike shoes—Crime Stoppers and Detroit Police Department's 8th Precinct are seeking tips from the public, details shared by DetroitRewards.tv mention the suspects were also wearing black ski masks which somewhat heightens the onboard task of identification.
Michael Yousif, the proprietor of the iPawn Detroit, expressed a pragmatic outlook on the attempted theft in an interview, by positing, "Oh! It’s just another day at the pawn shop," a statement obtained by FOX 2 Detroit, "You get this kind of stuff with the business we’re in… It is what it is. It comes with the territory." The targeted showcase, which contained high-priced items such as Rolex watches and Cartier glasses, was part of a high-end security program designed to resist such attacks.
Yousif's resolve proved effective as the security measures held strong, the thieves left empty-handed, however, "It’s one-inch solid bullet-proof glass. It’s not going to break very easy. It took them quite, about 20 different swings to get through it finally, and they still couldn’t get through it all the way – with only getting a few inches out to pull through." Yousif disclosed, emphasizing the robustness of the defenses, however, he did not shy away from noting a broader socioeconomic message, suggesting "As the economy declines, crime is going to spike. That’s what’s going to happen", as reported by FOX 2 Detroit.
The police are urging anyone with information that can lead to the arrest of the perpetrators to come forward—all tips can be submitted to the aforementioned Detroit Police Department’s number or through Crime Stoppers.
