Wilton Manors has experienced another incident involving criminal activity directed at local smoke shops. Early yesterday, surveillance footage captured four individuals forcibly entering the Vape & Smoke Shop at 2605 North Dixie Highway. WSVN reported that a table from a nearby yogurt shop was used by the group to shatter one of the store's windows, enabling their entry.
The theft occurred approximately at 2:45 a.m., with the suspects jumping over the counter amidst blaring alarms, rapidly seizing products before fleeing. It's estimated that they took items worth nearly $1,500, all within a brief 15-second interval inside the establishment. Although the incident caused significant disruption, the store did not lose any of its display cases, which are notably difficult to replace. More than 17 hours after the break-in at Vape & Smoke Shop, the scene was still being cleared of glass shards.
Local 10 detailed the emotions of Elena Carmona, the store owner, who described feeling "anger" and "sadness" at the loss caused by what she characterized as a blind robbery for vapes. This latest case follows a series of similar crimes in the same area, including one incident last month when thieves robbed another store at gunpoint, and another burglary in July 2024 at the Drag on the Drive smoke shop.
Wilton Manors Police are actively seeking to apprehend those responsible for this latest string of smoke shop burglaries. Members of the public with any relevant information have been urged to contact the Wilton Manors Police Department at 954-390-2172 or Broward County Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS, with the assurance of anonymity and the possibility of a reward for helpful tips.
