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KEARNS — One burglary could be viewed as simply bad luck, but at least five break-ins within the past three months have owners and employees of a corner market fearing the store is being intentionally targeted.
Saul Vaca with La Placita Market, 4703 W. 5415 South, said the burglary that happened early Friday morning. It was the latest in a handful of crimes where the suspects broke windows and doors to get in and steal simple grocery items.
“They both came in like it was nothing,” Vaca said. “They went over to the candy section. They grabbed some candy and then afterward they just threw it down onto the ground.”
Vaca said the suspects in previous burglaries had also stolen beer and cigarettes.
“After a while, we stopped selling cigarettes,” Vaca said. “They just started coming in for chips, some energy drinks — just dumb little things.”
In exchange, Vaca said the burglars have left behind thousands of dollars in damage over their multiple visits by breaking large window panels and the door.
“It’s kind of frustrating, it’s kind of annoying,” Vaca said. “It’s costly.”
Unified Police Lt. Brian Lohrke said prior to Friday’s break-in, detectives had investigated burglaries at the location on July 14, July 26, and Aug. 22.
Police also logged a report on June 17 of damaged property at the market due to thrown rocks.
Vaca hoped surveillance video of two suspects captured in the most recent burglary might lead to arrests.
It showed the men — one more slender in a gray hoodie with dark upper sleeve stripes and the other more heavyset in all dark and a light-brimmed hat — breaking a large panel of glass and then rummaging through the store.
Vaca said previous burglaries have featured three suspects.
“There’s another Mexican market down the street and they just haven’t broken in down there, so that’s why we also think it’s a personal thing here,” Vaca said.
Anybody with information is asked to call Unified Police Department dispatch at 801-743-7000.
