MERRIMACK, N.H. (WHDH) - A smash-and-grab robbery caught on camera Friday morning showed five hooded suspects stealing tens of thousands of dollars worth of high-end apparel at the Merrimack Premium Outlets in a matter of minutes.
Video surveillance captured the moment five hooded suspects broke into La Ola Streetwear and ransacked the wall displays around 2:30 a.m. Friday. The thieves were in and out in less than three minutes, according to surveillance video.
Co-owners Gabriel Vargas and Parker Cathcart said they’re convinced it’s not the first time the suspects had been in their store.
“They’ve definitely been here before or they follow us on social media,” said Cathcart.
“Because it definitely seemed like they knew what they wanted for sure,” Vargas said.
Vargas and Cathcart estimate $55,000 of merchandise was stolen including clothes, shoes and expensive, unique collectibles called “bear bricks.”
“You can’t sell them [bear bricks] at any local pawn shops because we’re the only store that sells them around here so people will know,” Vargas said.
The streetwear store has a big social media presence with thousands of followers, which is why Vargas and Cathcart shared the surveillance video on their Facebook and Instagram accounts. They’re hopeful someone in their loyal following will recognize the suspects even though their faces aren’t clearly visible.
“We do a lot for the community so we have a big support system,” said Vargas. “At the end of the day we’re here for the community and I think the community is gonna help us, in the end, figure out who did this.”
Police are now going to other stores in the outlet mall to see if they have any surveillance video that may have captured the getaway car.
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