Thieves use pick axe, sledgehammer to break into vape shops on Chicago's North Side

CHICAGO (CBS) — Thieves used a pick axe and a sledgehammer to break into two different vape shops and CBD dispensaries in Lincoln Park early Monday morning.

The vape shops are located on the same side of the same block of Lincoln Avenue. One of them was hit the second time in a matter of days.

In one incident around 3 a.m., a group of five people was captured on surveillance video breaking into Mr. Vape & Smoke, at 2250 N. Lincoln Ave. between the intersection with Belden Avenue and Orchard Street, and the intersection with Webster Avenue and Larrabee Street/Geneva Terrace. The burglars use what looks like a pick axe.

Mr. Vape & Smoke was also broken into on Tuesday of last week—a mere six days ago.

The owners said thousands of dollars' worth of merchandise was taken, along with the cash register.

Down the street, Lincoln Park Smoke and Vape at 2228 N. Lincoln Ave. was also burglarized.

"Lincoln Park is supposed to be one of the safest areas in Chicago," said the co-owner of Mr. Vape & Smoke, who asked to have his identity concealed, "which is why, you know, we have a store out here."

The burglary at Lincoln Park Smoke and Vape happened within minutes of the one up the block.

"They took the entire register," the co-owner said. "They took so much of the products—they are worth thousands of dollars."

The co-owner said he is worried about doing business in Chicago—having also been the victim of a similar crime two weeks ago.

This time, the group smashed the surveillance camera at Lincoln Park Smoke and Vape too—but not before some of their crimes were caught on surveillance video.

The group also bashed through two layers of glass to get into the store.

"It's 100% violence Like, these people, they tried to smash in through the middle door. We changed that one, and we got a strong one, so that these things don't happen again," said the co-owner. "But this time, it wasn't just a stone or a boulder or something. It was a whole [expletive] sledgehammer. "

Representatives of both Lincoln Avenue vape stores said they estimate thousands of dollars lost in damage and stolen material. However, both were open on Monday.

"You're trying to conduct business, and we're doing things according to the norms of the city. We're not like doing any bad-faith business—nothing of that sort," the Lincoln Park Smoke and Vape co-owner said. "But all we expect is for, you know, our business to be safe."

Late Monday, Chicago Police had not made any arrests in either case, and they had not officially connected the two cases.

Chicago Police said in at least one of the incidents, the group got away in silver and black cars.