SAN DIEGO — An optometry store was burglarized Friday in Sorrento Valley and police are investigating if this latest crime is connected to a series of burglaries committed at other eyeglass stores around San Diego.
San Diego police received a call reporting a burglary at a strip mall around 3:15 a.m. in the 10000 block of Pacific Heights Blvd. at Designer Eyes Optometry.
When officers arrived, they found shattered glass from the store’s front door on the ground and several pairs of glasses on the floor inside.
Surveillance video provided by Michael Wang, the owner of Designer Eyes Optometry, showed men in green hoodies taking several pairs of glasses from the shop.
Wang was saddened by the break-ins saying it will have an impact on his customers.
“I was shocked it happened twice. It makes it tough for customers who are coming in. They have nothing to shop for and when we have to restock. It takes some time,” he said.
A witness working next door said he heard a loud crash and saw four people wearing hoodies get into what looked like a gray Dodge Charger with no license plates.
There are no suspect descriptions immediately available.
Last week, three San Diego-area optometry businesses were broken into and looted over a period of less than three hours, leading authorities to suspect that the same suspect or crew of criminals might be responsible for the crimes.
Designer eyeglass frames are growing in popularity and in price. For example, a pair of royal blue Ray Bans cost $120. From Prada to Tom Ford, even Roberto Cavalli, a glam pair costs close to $500.
“We do have insurance and things to protect, but the main thing is, if you don’t have inventory, you can’t operate. That is the end of business,” said Wang.
Wang feels the shops are “maybe easy targets.”
Police were looking at surveillance footage located in the shopping center. Authorities have not disclosed whether they believe the string of break-ins are connected.