Caught On Camera: Thieves Steal Drones From Rocklin Store, Owner Gives Chase In Wheelchair
ROCKLIN (CBS13) — Surveillance video from Hobbytown in Rocklin shows thieves making off with a handful of drones while the owner tries to give chase in a wheelchair.
The drones have become a hot item at Hobbytown, and store owner Perry Lutz believes the suspects knew exactly what they were looking for.
"I thought they were going to continue to come around to the register, but instead they made a left and out the door they went," Lutz said.
He says it happened before closing on Friday. Surveillance cameras were rolling as a paying customer walked out of the store and two men run out with her, almost knocking her to the ground. In their hands were a remote control truck and two drones.
"One was a fully loaded with camera, valued at about $1,000 retail," he said.
Lutz was behind the counter as they slipped out the door. He tried to chase after them in his wheelchair.
"Taking advantage of a situation—there's an old man in a wheelchair; what's he going to do?" he said.
He believes the thieves had been in his store before as in the video it appears they a'ready know what they want.
Lutz says drones can be sold for quick, easy money because there are no serial numbers to track them.
He's hoping someone will recognize the thieves.
"It's my livelihood; it's been an opportunity for me to be able to provide not just jobs, but to take care of my family, and somebody is taking that away," he said.
Witnesses say the suspects took off in a gold or silver Dodge Durango.
Lutz is offering a $1,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest.