BEECH GROVE, Ind. — New surveillance video shows the break-in of a Beech Grove gun store frequently targeted by thieves, but this time, they weren't able to steal anything.
Greg Burge, the owner of Beech Grove Firearms, said he is "frustrated yet again" as he watched the video of thieves attempting to get into his store early Friday, Nov. 8.
His business has seen this before, as recently as July.
"I would say a safe estimate is $100,000 has been spent in various monitoring systems, video systems, physical barriers. Just again, I don't know what more we can do," Burge said. "I also think it's worth pointing out we're right next door to the Beech Grove police station."
In the video, the thieves are seen trying to throw the concrete through the front door, and while they do break the glass, there is something on the other side preventing them from getting in.
After they realize they cant get in through the front door, the thieves come to the back and try to kick the door in, leaving behind footprints.
"Watching in the video, you see them wearing a backpack on the front. It's not generally how you wear a backpack, so I'm sure they thought that's how they would carry out their pickings," Burge said. "Our security systems worked. They did not breach the inner perimeter, which is always our concern. So on that side of it, it's good. But yes, we are, yet again, dealing with reconstruction because of somebody."
Burge said he hopes the Indiana Legislature will make penalties for this attempted crime harsher.
"I would love for the legislators to take a look at this, and and we have the ability to put enhancements. This is not something new. We have laws on the books with enhancements. I think it's time," Burge said. "This, in my view, has become an epidemic."
Now, he's back to reconstructing and hoping thieves don't hit his store again.