FRANKLIN, Tenn. (WKRN) — Franklin’s Vapor Café has dealt with two break-ins within nine days, resulting in the theft of $3,000 in cash and merchandise from the store.
“They’re grabbing stuff and just trashing the floor, and they’re not even grabbing large ticket items,” said store manager Andrew Barnes. “They’re grabbing small open boxes of stuff and just throwing stuff all over the store when they were in here.”
The first break-in happened on Tuesday, Aug. 1, involving three masked individuals who allegedly used rocks to get in, Barnes said. The second break-in took place on Thursday, Aug. 10.
Both incidents are reportedly under investigation by the Franklin Police Department.
According to the manager, the suspects broke the glass on the shop’s front door glass to get inside during both incidents.
“They busted this bottom section out, pushed the whole bottom section of the door out, and they crawled through a hole in the bottom,” Barnes explained as he gestured around the door. “The second day, I figured out they had broken in because this whole top section had slid down when I showed up and I was, like, ‘That’s not normal.'”
While authorities have not confirmed any ages, Barnes said he believes the suspects are minors, adding that he hopes they get caught and really think about their actions.
“We’re assuming it’s kids. These kids are getting really bold, and the sad thing is that they have no repercussions for their actions, and it’s come to the point where we have to say something about it because…you have two break-ins in the span of nine days, you’d expect something different to happen, but it’s the same thing over and over again,” he said.
Vapor Café only sells to adults over the age of 21. However, employees have dealt with underage buyers in the past who tried to use fake driver’s licenses. This has happened so frequently that the store has three boards full of confiscated IDs.
On Wednesday, Aug. 16, the Franklin Police Department shared new details about the Vapor Café break-ins, which are “likely being committed by the same suspects” from a recent burglary at Cool Springs Wine & Spirits on Mallory Lane.
In each case, authorities said “burglars are forcing their way in with a hammer during the overnight hours, and seem to be targeting things like alcohol, vape products, and cash.”
In addition, one of the suspects was reportedly wearing a unique tennis shoe that could help identify him.
Click here to watch the surveillance video shared by law enforcement.
Police said they have not only stepped up overnight business patrols, but they are also offering a cash reward of up to $1,000 for anonymous information through Crime Stoppers. If you have any information about these break-ins, call 615-794-4000.
