A string of early morning burglaries shook the Vinewood neighborhood today, as thieves targeted three businesses within the span of just over an hour. The Los Santos Police Department is currently investigating the crimes, which all occurred along the Eclipse Blvd. corridor.
The first break-in took place at Discount Jewels, located in the 4500 block of W. Eclipse Blvd., around 3 a.m. Three masked suspects, dressed in all black, smashed the store’s front window to gain access. According to the store owner, the thieves ransacked display cases, stealing high-end jewelry and luxury watches valued at approximately $15,000. No injuries were reported during the break-in, but the owner expressed frustration over the loss.
“It’s heartbreaking to see this happen in the middle of the night when we know the store was shut and no one was here. These thieves came prepared,” the owner said, declining to comment further on the investigation.
Just 30 minutes later, the same group of suspects hit Hardcore Comic, a popular comic book shop at the 3200 block of E. Eclipse Blvd. Once again, the burglars used force to break in, this time smashing the front glass door. Weazel News spoke with the store manager, Kevin Hartley, who confirmed that only the most valuable comics were taken, including limited edition runs and first prints.
“It’s not just about the money, it’s about the collection,” Hartley said. “Some of these comics are irreplaceable. I’m just hoping they don’t try to sell them online or end up damaging them.”
The third burglary took place around 4:30 a.m. at the Liquor Hole, a convenience store located in the 3100 block of E. Eclipse Blvd. In a familiar pattern, the same trio of thieves broke through the front door of the store, helping themselves to crates of alcohol and cartons of cigarettes. The owner speculated the thieves may have targeted the liquor store to "hydrate" after their other heists.
“They were in and out in no time. They took whatever they could carry, but mostly liquor and smokes. At least they left the cash register alone,” said the store owner, who wished to remain anonymous.
Though the total value of the stolen goods is still being calculated, the combined loss across all three businesses is expected to run into the tens of thousands of dollars.
The LSPD is investigating the incidents and believes the burglaries are linked, citing the similar method of operation and the fact that all three businesses are located within a mile of each other. Authorities are reviewing nearby surveillance footage and have called on the public to report any suspicious activity that could help identify the suspects.
As of now, the Vinewood neighborhood remains on edge, with many local business owners taking extra precautions to protect their stores from further break-ins.
Anyone with information about the burglaries is urged to contact the Los Santos Police Department or anonymously through Crime Stoppers.
