Phoenix police are on the hunt for burglars responsible for a series of eyeglass shop thefts. According to a FOX 10 Phoenix report, three burglaries unfolded in central Phoenix last week, with the first reported at Central Eyeworks on October 19. The thieves struck Van Buren Optical two days later, and Village Eye Works a day after that, bringing significant losses to local business owners.
The burglaries all occurred in the early morning hours, with the suspect or suspects making off with valuable eyewear inventory. At Central Eyeworks, the owner, Tommy Libert, discovered the crime on his security footage, detailing to FOX 10 Phoenix, "Grabbed a boulder and just threw it through my window." The estimated loss of stolen inventory at Central Eyeworks ranges from $13,000 to $15,000.
Meanwhile, the damage and theft at Village Eye Works, a fixture since the 1980s, are estimated to be about $80,000. Owner Bob Royden described the burglar's rapid looting process to FOX 10 Phoenix, saying, "He had a pillowcase and was just filling it full as quickly as he could." In both incidents, suspects appeared to specifically target sunglasses, with proprietors suspecting the culprit or culprits had scouted their stores beforehand.
Authorities have yet to confirm whether these incidents are linked, although the geographic proximity and mode of operation suggest a potential connection. No arrests have been made in relation to the break-ins, and the Phoenix police are encouraging anyone who might recognize the suspect from security footage to come forward with information. The footage was disclosed as part of ongoing investigations and shared by the victimized businesses with hopes of catching those responsible.
These burglaries have left the small business owners feeling "very violated," and despite being insured, the sentiment of a "gross feeling" persists—an emotional toll expressed by the affected shop owners to Yahoo News. As the small business community in central Phoenix looks to rebuild, local law enforcement seeks public assistance to close to quickly resolve these crimes.
