Thief Caught On Camera Hitting Small OKC Business

A small local business targeted by a thief is asking for the public's help Thursday evening. The thief took their money and left behind a costly mess to clean up. But luckily the heist was all caught on tape.

Workers here at Lynda's Birkenstock near NW 36^th and Pennsylvania Ave. say their outside surveillance video shows a guy peeking into their window and trying to jimmy the lock. When he couldn't get in that way, he grabbed a rock and smashed his way inside.

The surveillance video shows the suspect as he made his way inside. You can see he goes back to the counter, but then runs back up to the front.

"And I was like ‘Oh my God,'" said Jaime McCartney, who works at the small shoe store. "Because he came in, stopped, and then ran out. And came back and stole our cash drawer."

Sure enough, the video shows the thief back behind counter with a flashlight, trying to find that cash drawer. When he finally spots it, he rips it out and takes off running.

"He really didn't get away with much," said McCartney. "It was more of the damage that he created, it's going to cost us more to fix the damage than what he took."

The glass on the front door has already been replaced and the store is out about $200.

"It kind of breaks my heart, because Lynda created this store, and it's been here for 27 years now," said McCartney.

McCartney works for the family-owned shoe store and says they have a very select, loyal clientele - who was sad to hear about the recent break in.

"It's just the time of the year I guess, where people are just really crazy," said McCartney.

Workers say the guy in the video looks familiar, but they do not believe he is a former employee. They just hope someone out there recognizes the thief and calls police. If you do, call Crime Stoppers at (405) 235-7300.