COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) — A family-owned business is now sounding the alarm about two recent thefts at its stores. They said the incidents happened within just a week.
The owners of Blue Spruce Mercantile Co. are frustrated after losing more than $1,000 worth of merchandise. One of the owners told KRDO13 that just before closing for the day, the thieves came out the front door with a cart full of belongings.
Surveillance camera footage taken by Blue Spruce Mercantile on May 2 shows the woman removing everything from the shopping cart and leaving the store. The store’s cashier claimed she never paid for it.
“It’s scary and it’s upsetting, because this is a family-owned Christian business and it’s just wrong for them to take it away from us,” said Emily House, a cashier at Blue Spruce Mercantile.
But the theft didn’t end there. Exactly a week later, on May 9, owner Taleja Mitchem claimed the woman returned, this time with her “friends.”
Surveillance camera footage showed two men leaving the store with items in their hands and multiple items in a shopping cart.
“This is a sore point for us because we are a small, family-run business that opened here to be a blessing to the community. It’s a very tough time right now,” Mitchem said.
Mitchem said the suspected thieves ended up making off with $1,400 worth of items. Both the employees and the owner hope that arrests will be made soon.
“I want to see them arrested and I want to make sure that doesn’t happen again,” House said.
Colorado Springs Police said this is an active and ongoing investigation. No arrests have been made at this time. Police are working to identify the suspect.
If you have further information, please call police.
