DELAWARE, Ohio — In less than an hour, thieves broke into three vape shops in Delaware and police say it's all connected.
The first occurred at Tobacco and Vape around 4:40 a.m. on May 4. The second took place just before 5:10 a.m. under half a mile away at Delaware Tobacco & Vape. The final break-in came at Vapor Station, located just over five miles from Delaware Tobacco & Vape, just before 5:25 a.m.
Surveillance video from Tobacco and Vape shows two thieves breaking the window to gain access. A third suspect sat in a white car out front. As seen in the surveillance video, the thieves didn't waste any time and headed straight to the cash register.
“They took the register and they took some stuff, bags, they went to the back,” said the owner of Tobacco and Vape.
The thieves got about $300 in cash.
“I've been here like 10 months and have had no problem around here. It's safe,” the owner said.
Surveillance video shows the suspects smashed the front door to all three locations and went directly to the cash register in each shop.
Delaware police say they believe this group may be connected to similar incidents in other communities.
Westerville police reported that on the same day, one of the vape shops in their community was also broken into the same way.
The owner of the Westerville store says he's not worried about the group coming back.
“I don't think they will come back. The police are all over, even at night, I see them all around,” he said.
If you know anything about the robberies or the suspects you are asked to call Delaware Police.