MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Business owners in Midtown's Cooper-Young neighborhood are on high alert tonight after a spate of robberies.
The company hardest hit in recent weeks has been Ounce of Hope.
“They were here for about a minute and a half and kind of ransacked the place,” assistant manager Charlotte Campbell said.
Approximately $6,000 worth of merchandise was stolen, according to a police report.
Adding to the frustration of the store's staff is the fact that this is the third break-in in the past year.
“Actually, my insurance company recently dropped me and my premiums went up,” Campbell said. “For things of this nature, we don't pass it on to the customer, so it just increases the amount we have to pay.”
According to the Memphis Data Hub, 42 robberies and business robberies were reported within a half-mile radius of stores last year.
On March 23, Memphis police said two men broke the freezer lock at a nearby Aldo's Pizza. They stole more than $1,000 worth of food and alcohol.
At Ounce of Hope, surveillance cameras were able to capture one clear photo of one of the thieves. However, it is not clear if they are the same thieves involved in Aldo's Pizza robbery.
Still, Campbell has a message for those entering local businesses.
“You're stealing from your community,” Campbell said. “We're part of the community. We're pillars of this community, not just ourselves but other local businesses as well. So we're very upset.”
Ounce of Hope is offering a $1,000 reward to anyone who can identify the suspect.
Meanwhile, police are asking anyone with information to call CrimeStoppers at 901-528-CASH.
