Thieves Target Store Again

Thieves broke into a Tulsa grocery store overnight, and it isn't the first time it has happened. Each burglary costs the store thousands of dollars in damage and stolen merchandise. News On 6 anchor

Tuesday, October 16th 2007, 4:36 pm

By: News On 6

Thieves broke into a Tulsa grocery store overnight, and it isn't the first time it has happened. Each burglary costs the store thousands of dollars in damage and stolen merchandise. News On 6 anchor Craig Day reports burglars have repeatedly targeted the Las Americas supermarket on East Admiral. Owner Antonio Perez has been boarding up what the thieves knocked out.

He says itâ€™s getting old, really old.

"At least three or four thousand dollars every time they come in,â€ said owner Antonio Perez.

Burglars hit again Monday night. Itâ€™s the fourth time in just a month. The break-ins are not only costing the store money, but also time and peace of mind.

"It's a feeling of madness. And not being able to do anything. I rely on police, but they can only do so much,â€ said Las Americas owner Antonio Perez.

The burglars haven't been able to get money from the safe or cash registers, but they have taken merchandise. In the most recent incident, the thieves took all of the cigarettes, some beer, meat and candy.

"They even took some ice cream and they went to the back and ate it back there,â€ said Las Americas owner Antonio Perez.

Once the burglars busted out the front glass, they pretty much had the run of the entire store. They even took a joyride on a forklift up and down the aisles. Tulsa police say they may have been inside the store for as long as two hours.

Las Americas has security cameras and an alarm system, but they were damaged by a recent lightning strike. Owner Antonio Perez is now adding additional security measures to try to prevent the store from being targeted again.

Anyone with information about the burglaries at Las Americas should call Crimestoppers at 596-COPS. Callers can remain anonymous and could earn a cash reward.

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