Crooks Caught On Cam In Colo. Springs

Three men broke into Something Twisted, a thrift and tobacco shop located near North Union and Platte, just before 5 a.m. Saturday.

According to the shops owner, Melissa Leckenby, the men used a crow bar to access the shop and proceeded to slice most of the electrical wires in the shop.

?They stole a bunch of tobacco pipes, colored contacts, some watches, a digital scale and all four of our cameras,? said Leckenby.

While the men sliced the wires of the digital video recorder, they did not take that piece of equipment. Leckenby said they were able to repair the wires, and access the surveillance video. Leckenby said there are clear pictures of the suspects on the video.

According to Leckenby, the crooks broke into AAA Court Prep next door. The owner of that shop, Lynda Johnson-Jimenez said she had to repair a wall the suspects tried to break through, in an attempt to get to the restaurant next door.

?They found out in going through my office that it was a brick wall between us and the next door,? said Johnson-Jimenez.

Johnson-Jimenez said this is the second time in one week that the strip mall has been targeted. She told KRDO Newschannel 13 one of the business has been broken into last Tuesday, during which time a cash register was stolen.

?It?s very scary to think that people are out there doing something like that,? said Johnson-Jimenez.

?First of all, we?re business owners. So, we?re working hard to try to make what we can; do what we can. Then someone thinks they can just come in and take away from us whatever they feel like and whatever they think? How dare them,? said Johnson-Jimenez.

In light of the burglaries, Leckenby has closed her shop and will begin conducting her business online.

?They took food out of my kids? mouths. We worked so hard to get where we are at now, and now it?s nothing. It?s very upsetting, very,? said Leckenby.

Anyone with information on the burglaries is encouraged to call Colorado Springs police at 444-7000.