Several thieves used a vehicle to ram a San Rafael camera equipment shop before they stole merchandise, police said.
The incident occurred around 3:20 a.m. Monday at Seawood Photo, a 78-year-old business on Fourth Street. The suspects remain at large.
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Detectives learned that the thieves used a vehicle to back into the store’s plate-glass window before they entered the business, police Sgt. Justin Graham said. The vehicle was reported stolen in Oakland and was found unoccupied on Monday.
The case remains under investigation as detectives work with other law enforcement agencies to develop leads, Graham said. He said that the case may be connected to other burglaries.
Seawood Photo was among several camera shops across Northern California that were burglarized in the past two months. Thieves have targeted stores in Santa Rosa, Berkeley, Campbell and Rocklin. Shutterbug Camera Shops in Santa Rosa had an estimated $100,000 worth of merchandise stolen in a March 21 incident.
The Seawood Photo staff noted the rash of burglaries when they announced their losses in post on a GoFundMe page on Tuesday.
“We are not alone in this, as we are just the most recent victim of a string of these attacks,” the post read. “Our hearts go out to the other businesses that have had to contend with this as well.”
The business lost an estimated $40,000 to $50,000 worth of equipment, and they face $10,000 in repair costs, the staff said.
Seawood Photo’s burglary occurred after the staff learned that they had to replace their heating and air conditioning system.
The GoFundMe page is at bit.ly/3XHno9e. The fundraiser generated more than $27,000 by Wednesday afternoon. Their goal is to raise $50,000.
