Dougherty County Police are beefing up patrols to protect convenience stores. Smash and grab burglaries have become a nearly nightly crime around Albany in recent weeks.
In almost every one of these recent store smash and grab burglaries the crooks are going after Newport Menthols. Police say that is the most expensive cigarette, the most popular, and the easiest to sell on the streets. @
Surveillance video shows a burglar smashing his way into the Express Lane convenience store on Newton Road jut before 4:00 Tuesday morning. After using a screwdriver to break through the window, he goes right to the cigarette counter and steals dozens of packs of Newport Menthols.
DCP Detective Tamyko Whitlock said, "What they are taking are cigarettes, and the name brand that seems to be the most popular are Newports."
Twice last week the same group of thieves smashed their way into the Pitt Stop, each time taking hundreds of dollars worth of Newports.
DCP Detective Stuart Williamson said, "In Georgia, Newports are going for $5.29 a pack. They are the most expensive just about in the store right now." And Investigators say they are the most popular, and the most wanted. "So we're thinking they are selling them on the street at a reduced price. And that seems to be what everybody wants," Whitlock said.
"It's easy in and out. They are making one hundred percent profit on the items they steal. They don't pay anything for them. They sell them for less than what stores sell them for. They are making easy money," Williamson said.
But it's expensive for the convenience stores to replace their front doors and windows. Now police are asking store owners to keep their stores well lit, surveillance cameras working, and install burglar bars and plexiglass windows.
"Don't take the law in your own hands. If you need the police, call the police. We are doing the best we can right now. And we are taking measures to slow down these burglaries from happening," Williamson said.
Smash and grab burglars get in and out of these stores in less than a minute, so they know what they are after, and right now Newport cigarettes are the choice.
Police ask you to report people you see selling Newport cigarettes on the street, because they know these smash and grab burglars are known in the community for being a cheap source of these stolen cigarettes.
If you see suspicious people hanging around convenience stores, especially after closing, police say you should call 911.
In recent store smash and grab burglaries the crooks are going after Newport Menthols.
Newport is the most expensive cigarette, the most popular, and the easiest to sell on the streets. @
It's expensive for the convenience stores to replace their front doors and windows.
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