FRESNO, CA (KMJ) – Fresno Police are searching for suspects who burglarized Sceptre & Sash in northeast Fresno.
Police said the store at 1528 E. Champlain Drive was broken into by multiple suspects on Dec. 20.
Police have released surveillance photos and are asking the public’s help identifying the suspects.
Surveillance cameras in the business and surrounding area were able to capture one suspect who was unmasked.
He appears to be a black male, dressed in dark clothing.
Two other suspects were covered in dark colored sweatshirts, gloves and had their faces concealed.
A dark colored vehicle, possibly a Mitsubishi SUV, was observed leaving the location right after the burglary occurred.
According to store officials with Sceptre & Sash Authentic Luxury the crooks broke-in around 3 a.m. and made off with thousands of dollars’ worth of merchandise ranging from high-end purses to jewelry.
Store employees said the thieves took Chanel & Hermes handbags along with other items.
The crooks were able to carve a triangle out of the security gate and shatter the front door before making their way in.
Marketing Director Stephanie Foster said she’s grateful no one was hurt and wants the burglars to know that they weren’t able to steal the Christmas spirit.
“No staff was here, no one was injured. We still have lots of beautiful things and we are not letting this ruin Christmas. We are still going to be open today regular hours 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. We still want to help everyone shop for their loved one,” said Foster. “They knew what they were looking for they made off with thousands of dollars worth of bags.”
Detective Michael Berumen with the Fresno Police Department said the heist was quick.
“We received a call around 3:40 a.m. from the store’s security company notifying us of the burglary. Within four minutes we arrived on the scene and the suspects were gone. We were able to recover evidence at the scene which will be used in the investigations and could help us with a lead,” said Det. Berumen.
According to officials, no one was hurt or in the store at the time of the burglary. At this time officials have not yet released how many people burglarized the store or were seen in the video surveillance footage.
“We are now reaching out to surrounding stores and neighboring residents to see if they have any surveillance footage that could help in our investigation,” said Det. Berumen.
If you have any information you’re asked to call Crime Stoppers at (559) 498-STOP or Detective Rose at (559) 621-6434.
Click to hear the report by KMJ’s Liz Kern:
