Multiple KCMO businesses hit in string of break-ins
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Thieves hit several small businesses overnight across a stretch of Kansas City, Missouri.
The break-ins or attempted break-ins happened at businesses from Brookside to the Crossroads.
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Now, those small businesses are cleaning up and counting up losses.
Several owners said this is not the first, or even second time that criminals have tried to break-in.
“Seeing all the broken glass, it was just really scary,” Cafe Manager at PH Coffee Martina Wentworth said.
Small business owners said thieves tried breaking into their stores overnight.
I’m told at least seven were hit in the same night, including Ruby Jean’s Juicery.
“This is the seventh time our business has either been vandalized or broken into,” Founder and Owner of Ruby Jean’s Juicery Chris Goode said.
Goode said the alleged criminals broke two panels on their garage door, and nearly shattered the front glass door, but never got in.
They’ve upped their security system since the last several break-ins.
“It’s disheartening but my posture is, for us as a business, our whole purpose is to make this a healthier city, a healthier community,” Goode said. “So, it re-enforces why we exist, to make this place healthier, safe and to make it a better place. So, it’s discouraging, but at the same time it’s encouraging, that we keep going forward.”
Goode said he’s been in talks with the City Manager about coming up with a solution for small businesses, leading to safety.
He hopes those conversations turn into action.
Armando Vasquez agrees. He’s a co-owner of Anchor Island Coffee on Troost.
Vasquez said the thieves got away with three hotplates. Between Damages and stolen items, he said they’re out $5,000
After this, he said they’re strongly considering moving locations.
“It was very frustrating, it’s very sad, it’s very, like, not comforting because we love the neighborhood. We love the area. We love the support we get from customers all the time, but going through this, it’s the third time in less than three years. It’s very heartbreaking, it’s confusing.”
Instead of cleaning up sweets early this morning, the owner of Nothing Bundt Cake in Brookside said they were picking up broken glass.
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He sent FOX4 photos of the broken front door. The owner said the alleged criminals gained access to the store, but did not get away with anything.
The Mixx, near the Plaza, was also hit. A representative with the store said nothing was stolen.
Wentworth said last week, someone broke through their door and stole the cash safe.
“We saw the front door was, you know shattered,” Owner of Buffalo State Pizza Philippe Lechevin said. “It’s been like, enough is enough. it’s been the third time in less then four months.”
Lechevin shared security camera footage of the break-in at Buffalo State Pizza overnight.
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You can see the alleged thieves broke through the front glass door, tripping the alarm. They turn around and run away.
Despite the disruption on peace, these owners are grateful for the community support that followed.
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