A pair of burglars hit a local cell phone store and police believe the theft may be related to similar break-ins across Northeast Ohio.
Shortly before 7:30 a.m. Jan. 7, a masked burglar used an axe to break out the glass in the front door of the Verizon store at 5145 Buehler’s Drive.
The burglar immediately went to the back door to let in an accomplice, who also was wearing a mask. From their physical appearance, it is assumed both suspects are men, according to Montville Police Sgt. Chris LaFond.
“They brought in a trashcan and start(ed) loading it up,” LaFond said.
The two men were inside the store for less than 90 seconds. The surveillance video can be viewed on the Montville police Facebook page.
An inventory of the Verizon store determined the majority of missing items were empty boxes. Only two devices, an iPhone 5S and an iPhone 5C, were stolen.
“There are similar incidents that happened in the Northeast Ohio area and throughout Ohio,” said LaFond. “Our detective is working with those other agencies.”
About a week before this incident, there was a break-in at the Verizon store in the Montville Center Complex, at the corner of state Route 18 and Windfall Road.
LaFond said that on New Year’s Eve morning three suspects were caught on video breaking the front window and entering the store.
“It’s a very similar MO, but it does not look to be the same suspects,” LaFond said.
Anyone with information on either of these crimes is asked to call the Montville Police Department at (330) 725-8314.
Contact reporter Pamela J. Miller at (330)-721-4065 or areanews@medina-gazette.com.