The Alamitos Antique Shop on Seal Beach’s Main Street was burglarized early Friday morning, June 6.
According to Seal Beach Police Sgt. Phil Gonshak, the agency’s public information officer, police received a burglar alarm call at about 2:16 a.m.
Officers determined that the point of entry was through a smashed display window adjacent to the front door of the antique shop.
Officers found the store had been ransacked.
Gonshak said the property loss was $4,000 in miscellaneous gold and silver jewelry as well as an estimated $2,000 in property damage.
Gonshak said officers had just left Main Street a few minutes before the crime occurred, so police believe the theft took place in a short period of time.
The suspect apparently bypassed other goods in the shop.
“We encourage businesses to use a safe for valueables during closed hours,” Gonshak said. “Furthermore, we suggest businesses install internal and external cameras to assist law enforcement with follow up.”
According to Gonshak, there have been 19 crimes classified as commercial burglaries in Seal Beach so far this year. However, that figure is slightly misleading.
When police can prove the shoplifter entered the store with the intent to steal, the suspect is charged with business burglary.
“In particular to Main Street, we have had two commercial burglaries, one at the antique store and another at ‘Trends’ where a suspect entered the store and shoplifted a pair of $20 shoes,” Gonshak said.
Anyone with information about the incident should call the SBPD.