In Ballard, Washington, a group of would-be thieves were thwarted in their attempt to break into a local business thanks to a security measure that had been installed after a previous break-in. Witnesses in the area reported waking up to the sound of someone trying to ram a car through the front of One Stop Smoke on 24th Avenue NW overnight. This incident marked the fourth time in the last few years that the business had been targeted by thieves.
Employees at One Stop Smoke told KOMO News that they had installed laminated glass after the last break-in, which proved to be effective in preventing the thieves from gaining entry this time. The laminated glass was able to withstand the force of the car trying to ram through the front of the store, ultimately protecting the business from further loss.
Photos taken by a witness at the scene showed the car that had been left behind by the suspects. Witnesses reported seeing a young man in a hoodie running around the corner and yelling before getting into a getaway car. Despite the quick getaway, the suspects were unable to access the store due to the security measures that had been put in place.
In response to the incident, employees mentioned that they had implemented additional security measures such as gates in the past, but the laminated glass proved to be the most effective deterrent. It was noted that the suspects did not manage to steal anything during this attempted break-in, although the business had suffered significant losses in the past.
The frustration of business owners in the area was palpable, with one witness expressing disappointment in the lack of police response to the incident. It was reported that it took approximately 40 minutes for the police to arrive at the scene, leaving business owners feeling vulnerable and unprotected.
Despite the challenges faced by businesses in the area, the incident served as a reminder of the importance of investing in security measures to protect against potential break-ins. While the police department may be understaffed and response times may be delayed, businesses can take proactive steps to safeguard their premises and assets. In the case of One Stop Smoke, the installation of laminated glass proved to be a wise decision that ultimately prevented further loss and damage.