Burglars Slam Truck Into Smoke Shop in Chatsworth; Store Owner Speaks on Camera

CHATSWORTH, LOS ANGELES, Aug. 22 (KNN) — Suspects used a pickup truck to smash their way into burglarizing a smoke shop in Chatsworth early Thursday morning.

Los Angeles Police Department Devonshire Division patrol units responded to a report of a vehicle that had slammed into the Smoke City store in the 21700 block of Devonshire Street around 1:30 a.m.

Multiple suspects were seen on an internal security camera inside and outside the business. The pickup truck was located abandoned behind the building.

George, the owner of the store, also arrived at the scene and told KNN on camera that this same store was broken into about three weeks ago. At that time, the burglars broke the front door. This break-in is much bigger than before, said George.

He also owns multiple family-owned businesses and expressed anger and frustration over the multiple times his stores have been targeted.

George gave KNN a glimpse into the financial impact of a burglary by stating that insurance companies do pay, but most of the damage costs are paid from the store owner’s own pockets.

“And for small family-owned businesses, when you get broken into once, twice, three times, I mean, how much can you handle as a family owned business?” George said.

George went on to express his feelings as to how the state of California handles these types of crimes.

“Even when they catch these criminals, they let them go. It’s literally getting out of control.”

The LAPD is currently investigating the burglary.

Keith Johnson, Video Journalist / KNN