GLASS SHOP THEFTS: This SW Houston eyeglass proprietor had his retailer hit twice final week. The thieves obtained away with practically 300 frames. Not far, one other eye glass retailer was practically bruglarized. Why these homeowners consider they’re being focused, plus surveillance vid on @abc13houston 5pm pic.twitter.com/TgnKsnn8EV
— Nick Natario (@NickABC13) January 4, 2021
EZ Optical proprietor, Mustafa Asif, instructed Eyewitness Information suspects broke into his southwest Houston retailer final week. Surveillance cameras captured how the suspects ripped by the lock on the shop’s door and went inside in a matter of seconds. As soon as they have been inside, the suspects smashed the alarm system and grabbed a trash can to haul away practically 250 glasses in minutes.
Asif stated although he was upset, he hopes that was the worst of it.
“We have been like, ‘This sort of stuff occurs. Let’s clear up and begin once more,'” he stated.
Simply 5 days later, the identical incident occurred once more. This time, the suspects triggered much more harm.
“After I appeared by my cameras at dwelling, certainly somebody had damaged our storefront glass and the burglar bars,” stated Asif.
For the second time, the suspects used a trash can to haul away dozens of glasses. Asif estimates he is misplaced about $35,000 in complete damages.
“Particularly throughout [the pandemic] with personal companies struggling, and then you definately undergo issues like this, and it simply hurts you much more,” Asif stated.
Asif stated the burglars took practically 300 eyeglasses. In the meantime, one other eyeglass enterprise in west Houston had an tried housebreaking Monday morning. Luckily, steel bars prevented entry.
Asif, who’s the president of the Licensed Opticians Affiliation of Texas, stated thieves have turned to eyeglass shops due to the cash they will get from web sites.
“If a body is price retail value $300 or $350, they will promote it on-line for $80 or $100, and other people will assume that is a cut price, however the truth is, what they’re shopping for is a stolen product,” he stated.
ABC13 requested the Houston Police Division in the event that they’re conscious of a rise in burglaries relating to eyeglass shops. Eyewitness Information didn’t obtain a response as of Monday night time.
To stop a 3rd housebreaking, Asif stated he has since upgraded safety, each inside and outdoors of the enterprise. He hopes these measures will stop future early morning alerts from his safety firm.
“Sleeping at night time has been tough, I will be trustworthy with you, as a result of when the cellphone rings at 4 within the morning, my coronary heart begins beating a bit bit extra quicker now,” stated Asif.
An outline of the suspects has not been launched and it is unclear if the identical suspects have been concerned in each incidents. Anybody with data on these instances is requested to contact the Houston Police Division.
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