North Columbus business owners along Hard Road and Smoky Row Road started their week cleaning up shattered glass instead of serving customers, after a masked intruder went on an overnight break-in run. Surveillance clips shared by several shops show a person in a mask riding a bicycle between storefronts and forcing their way inside multiple businesses. Columbus police have opened an investigation and, as of Tuesday afternoon, reported no additional details. Owners say cash and tools were taken from some locations and estimate that roughly 10 shops were hit.
Surveillance Captures Quick Early-Morning Hits
According to WBNS, cameras along the Smoky Row and Hard Road corridor recorded a masked suspect pulling up on a bicycle around 6:15 a.m. The video shows the person using a tool to smash through a Domino's door before moving on. The station reported that about 10 businesses in the strip were broken into, including a tire shop and several restaurants, and noted that officers responded to a burglary call that morning.
Owners Share Video And Tally Losses
Some owners say they got lucky, at least relatively speaking. Brittiney Johnson, a manager at one affected business, told WBNS, "Thankfully nothing was stolen." Others were not as fortunate. Mohamad Alsharath, co-owner of Sumac Mediterranean Grill, reported a loss of a few hundred dollars, while staff at a nearby tire shop told reporters the suspect stayed inside for roughly half an hour and left with some tools.
Frustrated but trying to be practical, business owners have been posting clips from their security systems on social media and combing through additional footage in hopes of giving investigators clearer views of the suspect and timeline.
Police Seek Tips As Neighbors Step Up Watch
Investigators are reviewing the video that has already surfaced and are asking anyone with additional footage or information to come forward. The Columbus Division of Police lists 614-645-4545 as the non-emergency number, and Crime Stoppers is also taking tips related to the case.
Neighbors and local business groups say they are planning to keep a closer eye on the area while police work the case, hoping a mix of cameras, word-of-mouth and old-fashioned vigilance will help deter another hit.
Already-Stretched Small Shops Take Another Hit
For many of the small businesses along the corridor, the damage is more than just broken glass. Owners say the break-ins add financial and emotional strain to shops already wrestling with staffing shortages, rising costs and tight margins.
In the wake of the burglaries, some are boarding up damaged windows, changing locks and double-checking insurance coverage while they wait for updates from investigators and figure out how to get fully back on their feet.
