A swift group of thieves managed to rob a high-end business in downtown San Francisco on Saturday afternoon, leaving the camera shop Leica with $20,000 in damages and $178,000 worth of merchandise stolen. This occurred even though the police presence in Union Square has increased this year.
It is that time of year again when giant Christmas streets are lit up in Union Square (far too early in November), waves of tourists swarm Fisherman’s Wharf, and an increased police presence is seen near luxury stores in downtown San Francisco. In response to the audacious theft of merchandise from the Louis Vuitton store located at 233 Geary Street in San Francisco the previous year, the San Francisco Police Department has increased the number of officers stationed in Union Square to prevent similar thefts.
The Leica store, which is only a quarter of a mile away from the Louis Vuitton store that was broken into around this time last year, was burglarized on Saturday afternoon, and surveillance cameras captured four individuals getting out of a gray sedan and stealing bags full of camera equipment from the store.
At least one of the four suspects was seen entering the Leica store on Saturday, November 26, around 1:20 p.m. while brandishing a firearm, according to a report from ABC7. Images from the robbery also show another individual holding a tool, and there is a brief moment in the security footage that shows display cases being shattered.
After robbing the store, the suspects can be seen on the timestamped surveillance camera returning to the sedan that was parked outside less than three minutes later. This information was provided by the news organization that aired the film.
It was discovered that high-end camera equipment valued at approximately $178 thousand was taken from the store; various sources told the journalist working for ABC7 that the damage to the store reached over twenty thousand dollars.
The robbery at Leica took place just a few days after Mayor London Breed and Chief Bill Scott of the San Francisco Police Department announced that the city had implemented additional safety measures for the shopping area to both deter robbers (like the one that took place here) and improve the experience of shoppers.
A bout of ironic sighing ensues, which is exceedingly frustrating for the speaker. The investigation is ongoing, and the San Francisco Police Department is requesting that anyone who may have information regarding the incident call them at (415) 575-4444. Suggestions and information regarding the offense may be left anonymously.
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