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Smash & Grab Thieves Target Hialeah HHGregg

HIALEAH (CBSMiami) – A small group of smash and grab burglars helped themselves to some electronics at an hhgregg store in Hialeah early Wednesday morning.

Around 6 a.m., five people backed a vehicle up to the glass front doors of the store at 3695 W 20th Avenue, tied a strong rope or chain to them and then ripped them from their frames. They then did the same to the security gates.

"Once those gates were down they were able to make their way in," said Hialeah police spokesman Eddie Rodriguez.

Once inside, they stole phones, computers and ransacked the store. Police suspect the thieves used more than one vehicle to haul away the merchandise.
Police suspect this was not a random crime but rather the actions of members of a crime ring.

"This is something that's not only occurring here in the city of Hialeah or countywide, this is actually statewide and we've been seeing a lot of this even across state lines," said Rodriguez. "These are people that in rings, they know what they are doing. They know which store to target, just home to commit these types of burglaries."

Right across the street from the electronics store in the Westland Promenade is ABC Jewelry which was robbed at gunpoint two weeks ago. During the robbery, the store's owner was injured when he was shot by one of the robbers.

The burglary and robbery, however, didn't keep customers away.

"Usually there's a lot of people out there so I kind of feel safe," said George Bedoya, "Anything can happen."

Medica Healthcare Plans is also located inside the plaza. Workers there said despite the neighborhood crime it was business as usual.

"We are not scared because this happens every day in Miami, any time, any place," said Martha Regueyra / Medica Healthcare Plans.

Police have not given a description those involved in smash and grab burglary or their vehicles.

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