Smash & Grab Robbery Causes Concern For e-Cig Businesses In Broward

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FORT LAUDERDALE (CBSMiami) -- A smash-and-grab robbery Sunday at a Ft. Lauderdale smoke shop has led the store's owner to believe the crook is responsible for other robberies at similar stores around Broward county.

"I think I've seen this guy one time before in my shop," said Ricardo Vidal, the owner of Vapor Blade in Ft. Lauderdale, who got a look at the crook on surveillance video.

Ft. Lauderdale Police said the robbery happened between 5:45 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. at 1013 W. State Road 84. Video shows the crook break the glass front door and enter inside, taking nothing but the cash register with him.

"He bashes the window, goes under the bar and you can see him go right for the register," said Vidal, who mentioned the thief got away with $80. "He didn't take any other items."

Vidal thinks this guy has struck other vaping shops in both Pembroke Pines and Davie.

"The vaping shop owners make up a small community. So we all know each other," said Vidal, who has talked to other shop owners recently burglarized.

"In their surveillance video, you see it looks like the same guy. Same hat, same hoodie. Same way he breaks in," said Vidal.

Police are investigating.