COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — The Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD) reports that a car drove into a vape shop off North Circle Drive and Palmer Park Boulevard early Wednesday morning.
The owners of RPRZNT Smoke Shop notified CSPD of the incident just before 4 a.m. reporting that a car was lodged in front of their vape shop.
CSPD confirmed the car was driven into the building, which was then burglarized.
No injuries were reported as a result of this incident. There is no information on possible suspects, and police are investigating if the car used was stolen.
RPRZNT Smoke Shop is now boarding up the gaping hole left from the alleged smash and grab burglary. One of the owners tells me they are looking at upwards of $50,000 in merchandise stolen and damages.
A security system caught the whole thing on camera. The video shows what police are investigating as a stolen car ramming through the front of the shop and people allegedly grabbing products.
"Yeah, the time and energy, you can't get back, it's really hard," said Tyler Pomeroy, co-owner of RPRZNT Smoke Shop.
Pomeroy says they sunk their life savings into opening this shop in January.
"This is just terrifying, I mean, as a business owner, I don't think you ever really expect this but in the back of your mind, you go to bed every night hoping your shop doesn't get completely burglarized," said Pomeroy.
Another vape shop, Galaxy Glass Smoke Shop, was hit the same way exactly two months ago.
WATCH: Stolen vehicle drives into business, suspects steal merchandise
"I do feel attacked, I've talked to other smoke shop owners and people in the industry, ya know, a week before me I think another shop, same thing," said Nate Williams, Owner of Galaxy Glass Smoke Shop.
Williams spoke with us after RPRZNT Smoke Shop was burglarized.
CSPD says they need more time to confirm if vape shops are a trending target for burglaries like this.
"They've been cracking down on selling to 18-year-olds, the law changed to 21, they have to be 21 for nicotine, this changed I think in 2019 so since 2019 we've seen a skyrocket of break-ins," said Williams.
Williams says he is thankful to people in the community for helping get his life back.
RPRZNT Smoke Shop is working to clear out the mess that was left behind. Although not much was left inside, RPRZNT Smoke Shop hopes to reopen as soon as possible.
News5 has made a map of vape shop burglaries that happened this year and were confirmed by CSPD.
This is an active investigation. KOAA News5 will provide updates as we receive them.
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