Police: Arvada, Wheat Ridge smash and grabs most likely connected; Lakewood resident says her stolen car was used
ARVADA, Colo. (KDVR) — Police are now saying multiple smash and grabs in the west metro area are most likely connected after new surveillance video is found.
We first told you about two smash and grabs in Wheat Ridge last Friday. Now we've learned an Arvada liquor star was also hit just minutes before.
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The owner of Arvada Liquor Mart didn't want to go on camera, but said that as a small business, he's taken a hard hit even though the thieves didn't get inside. The suspects backed into his store multiple times, the damage costing $9,000.
In the surveillance video you see the suspects back into the store multiple times before realizing they can't get in and leave the property. Two other smash and grabs happened within 15 minutes just after Arvada Liquor Mart was hit.
Wheat Ridge Police Department's Public Information Officer Alex Rose said the agency was able to make the connection.
'About 15 minutes prior to the first call, we learned that there was an Arvada liquor store that was also a target. It's not uncommon for us to see this type of behavior because crime doesn't just stop at one jurisdiction and call it quits,' Rose said.
The police investigation also revealed it's likely a stolen vehicle seen in the videos. A Lakewood resident, Kelli Baca, believes the white suburban seen in the surveillance videos is her stolen car.
'It's like you work your life to just have what you have and to know that my truck is being used to commit these crimes to local businesses is just — it's heart wrenching, it's disgusting, ' she said.
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Baca said their family Suburban was stolen last Thursday morning from their driveway. Her husband had the car running and realized he left his phone inside. So, he decided to grab it and within seconds, the thieves were there. She said that after seeing FOX31's coverage, she knew it was her suburban because of window decals and other distinguishing features.
'I kept watching the video over and over again, hoping I was wrong, but no, it's our vehicle. I know it is, and it's just heartbreaking to know that if we even get it back it'll be a total loss because the damages that they're doing to these businesses, I can only imagine what it's doing to my vehicle,' Baca said.
Police have yet to recover the vehicle and say they are still working on this multi-agency investigation. If you have any information, you are urged to contact Metro Denver Crimestoppers at (720) 913-7867.
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