Police searching for burglary suspect in Calexico
CALEXICO, Calif. (KYMA, KSWT, KECY)-A clothing store in Calexico has been burglarized for the second time in the past two weeks.
The Calexico Police (CPD) is seeking help from the community in identifying the suspect.
Although the suspect was caught on surveillance video, the owner said he’s lost all hope. Ahmed Mohamed, owner of Liverpool Clothing in Calexico said he’s lost count of how many times his store has been burglarized.
CPD said it only takes 30 to 60 seconds for a smash and grab theft, but seven seconds is all it took the suspect who broke into Mohamed’s store Wednesday night.
“The cops took the video and the photo of the person who did it. They said we’ll do everything, we’ll catch him after one or two days,” said Mohamed.
Mohamed’s store was broken into at 9:00 pm, just one hour after he closed down.
“I feel bad, I feel I will just shut down the business and go. I do not feel like coming to the business anymore. No one helps, no one supports,” said Mohamed.
CPD said this style of theft is very common in downtown Calexico because people are able to escape easily across the border.
“One, two, three..I have ten in my car. More than twenty business cards from the police. No one has caught anyone,” said Mohamed.
Mohamed’s store has been burglarized twice in the last two weeks, and currently has three broken windows that need to be repaired. He said that $3,000 dollars to fix the damage is too much.
Another store owner we spoke to said his days in downtown Calexico are also numbered.
“Oh it’s a nightmare, they keep breaking in. They grab what they can,” said David Dahdoul, store owner of Blankets R Us In Calexico.
“The thing is the glass, it cost about $500 to replace. If you're not from here you think this a bad area because every store has bars on it,” said Dahdoul.
“I love Calexico really, but it’s getting worse. In fact, I told my wife, I’ll probably be out by January 31, or by May,” said Dahdoul.
The Calexico City Council has addressed crime and homelessness in downtown Calexico. They’ve made recent efforts to close down alleyways near First and Second street to avoid trespassing in the area.
Despite efforts made, store owners like Mohamed and Dahdoul said it’s too much of a risk to keep their stores open.
Anyone with information on the suspect involved in the burglary is encouraged to contact CPD.
