**Multiple Smoke Shops Targeted in Fort Lauderdale Area Burglary Spree**
FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. (WSVN) – Surveillance video from a Fort Lauderdale smoke shop captured burglars breaking in for the second time in less than a week, raising concerns among local business owners.
Inside Snoopy’s Smoke Shop, located off North Federal Highway, footage shows a masked individual sprinting up to a window, smashing it, and fleeing moments before two others jump through the broken glass. One of the intruders was seen carrying a large container during the break-in.
“We’re affected by this, our family’s affected by this. We’re running a business with a family—it’s ridiculous,” the smoke shop’s owner said. “They can get away with this; they knew it, and that’s what they’re doing.”
The owner expressed frustration and fear after the store was burglarized twice in one week. Earlier in the week, a trio broke into the shop and stole more than $1,000 worth of merchandise.
“This is our second time in a week,” she said. “I don’t know what the cops are doing or why these people haven’t been caught yet.”
On early Saturday morning, the shop’s security company alerted the owner to the latest break-in. After smashing the window, the burglars ransacked the store, swiping multiple items from the shelves, including the entire cash register.
“They took a lot of stuff — a bunch of vapes, inventory from the back, our whole register, iPad, everything,” the owner added.
Snoopy’s isn’t the only smoke shop targeted this week. Vapor Shark, located at 5514 West Sample Road in Margate, was broken into by two burglars on Tuesday.
“They had bins; it looked like a bank heist. They came knowing exactly what they were doing. They looked like professionals,” Vapor Shark’s owner told 7News.
Less than an hour and within two miles of the Vapor Shark break-in, another burglary occurred at Sky World Smoke Shop on Royal Palm Boulevard and Rock Island Road.
“You feel violated, and it’s draining. It’s a lot of money that we lose,” commented the owner of Vapor Shark.
Authorities have not yet determined if the same suspects are responsible for all three break-ins.
If you have any information about these crimes, please contact Broward County Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS. Remember, you can remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a reward of up to $5,000.
https://wsvn.com/news/local/broward/surveillance-video-captures-2nd-break-in-at-fort-lauderdale-smoke-shop-in-a-week/
