LOS ANGELES, CA – A wave of burglaries swept through downtown Los Angeles’ Garment District overnight, leaving at least seven businesses grappling with extensive damage and theft. The break-ins have left store owners devastated, as they assess the financial and emotional toll of the crimes.
The perpetrators had over 24 hours to navigate through the businesses, causing significant destruction. The burglars managed to crawl through small openings, vandalizing and looting everything in sight. One store, in particular, suffered severe damage and loss, with cash and equipment stolen.
Brendan Bellows, whose parents own one of the affected garment stores, expressed his frustration and heartbreak. “It’s really hard. My family works tirelessly to provide for us, and seeing this happen is disheartening,” he said. Bellows’ father noted that business has already been tough for many small, family-run shops, and this incident only adds to their struggles.
The situation worsened as the burglars tampered with security systems, turning cameras around, cutting surveillance feeds, and dismantling alarms. By the time the Los Angeles Police Department arrived, the suspects had already vanished. This pattern of crime has been ongoing in the area for years, leaving the community increasingly frustrated and fearful.
One store owner, who wished to remain anonymous, described the extensive efforts the burglars took to sift through documents, stealing cash, checks, computers, and personal property. The fear of identity theft now looms over the victims, adding to their anxiety about the future of their businesses.
Authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward, as the affected business owners face losses amounting to tens of thousands of dollars in merchandise. The community is calling for stronger measures to combat the rising crime and protect their livelihoods.