North Modesto Salons Targeted By Thieves Ransacking Businesses
MODESTO (CBS13) — Salon owners are on alert after thieves have struck more than a dozen beauty shops in north Modesto.
Burglars are breaking in and stealing merchandise ranging from expensive shampoos to hair dryers from shop owners like Richard Britton.
"This is a steel door," the Creations Salon owner said. "They basically took a crowbar and popped it open like it was nothing."
He showed us the damage left behind by burglars who recently ransacked his business.
"There was product all over the place," he said. "I came in around 5:30 a.m. to find the place in disarray," he said.
This is just one of 15 beauty shop burglaries in north Modesto this year.
People are warning salon owners that the same person or people might be involved. They strike overnight and take things such as hair products and styling tools.
So far, there's little to work with in terms of leads.
Officers say the best thing to do is to be aware and prepared.
"So if they can do things like remove property from the front of their businesses out of sight, or close blinds or windows, they can less likely be a victim," said Heather Graves with the Modesto Police Department.
As for victims like Britton, he says, "All of us work really hard. You kind of pick up the pieces and keep moving on."
Police are trying to track down any security footage from neighboring businesses, and says it's a good idea to mark all products and keep track of serial numbers.
A cash reward is being offered for information that leads to an arrest.