7 hours ago
Surveillance cameras recorded thieves breaking through the front door of a South Florida business and stealing thousands of dollars’ worth of perfume.
The owner revealed this was not the first time her store was targeted.
Adi Schwartz-Gomez, owner of Perfume Outlet 1803 in Hollywood, received a notification on her phone Sunday that the store alarm was triggered. She immediately accessed her cameras and watched in real time as thieves stole perfume from inside her business.
“You’re just like, (expletive) again,” Schwartz-Gomez said. “It’s a little bit traumatizing, it’s a violation of my safe space.”
She called 911 and prepared to drive to the store.
“You just kind of go into anxiety mode, and you’re shaking,” she added.
Upon arrival, Schwartz-Gomez found glass shattered everywhere and bottles scattered on the floor. The thieves had already fled.
“Frustrated, defeated a little bit, it’s a small mom and pop business, we’re big on community,” Schwartz-Gomez said. “Damage to the door, damage to the display cases, a lot of broken bottles and spilled perfume.”
She noted that thieves had targeted her business in a similar manner nearly two years ago. Both incidents resulted in thousands of dollars in stolen perfume and significant property damage.
“Definitely feels similar, and if it’s not the same, definitely a lot of coincidences,” Schwartz-Gomez said. “I’m still paying for stolen goods from the previous break-in, so I can’t really say how you move forward because I’m barely putting in a dent from that bill.”
Schwartz-Gomez shared a message for those responsible for the break-ins.
“We all work really hard, we all have families, and you all want to be lazy and take the easy road out. My message is mostly for these people’s families and friends: stop keeping these people’s secrets because one day it’s going to be you or your neighbor,” she said.
She also mentioned that a few years ago, when she operated at a different location, that store was broken into as well. They relocated due to safety concerns.
Hollywood Police detectives are continuing to investigate the case.
