Kansas City police are looking for two men who broke into a Brookside eyeglass store, stealing more than 200 pairs of glasses and creating thousands of dollars in damage.
The owner of Optical Innovations did not to speak to 41 Action News on camera but did say it will take $2,500 to fix the broken glass displays.
The owner says she believes the store was targeted and that the two men who broke into the store knew what brands to take. According to a police report, Theo, Matsuda, Oliver Peoples, Paul Smith, and LA Eyeworks were the brands stolen from the store.
Video of the break-in showed the thieves shattering the door to the business and several cases inside.
Jerri Brandon, who works at Party Warehouse next door, said she was shocked at the crime.
"It made me scared, it made me mad, it made me frustrated," explained Brandon, who has worked in Brookside for the last 10 years. "It was very violent."
With Optical Innovations being locally owned, Brandon said the thieves did more than just take items.
"It's not just about the theft," she explained. "It's about all the time it takes to get yourself back up and running."
The local business owners with stores in Brookside make up a tight-knit community. Brandon explained that she often talks with other managers or owners and sometimes walks around the area with them. Because of the friendships in the community, Brandon said the crime hurt even more.
"There's a lot of really good people in this neighborhood," explained Brandon. "[The owner of Optical Innovations] did not deserve that."
Brandon also added that the crime was a reminder for her employees to continue to take safety precautions while at work.
"[I tell them to] put your purses up, put your phones up, put your iPads up," she said. "We keep our money locked up obviously."
Staff at Gerry Optical, located across from Optical Innovations on 63rd Street, know the threat eyeglass stores face.
"We're more vulnerable than some other stores because we have everything out in the open," said Garry Easley, who's worked at the store for 12 years.
However, Easley said he was shocked at the crime.
"I'm surprised," he explained. "I'm surprised this neighborhood had someone breaking in windows."
Police are continuing to try and find the suspects responsible for the crime. If you have any information, call 816-474-TIPS.
Watch the burglary in the video below. (On a mobile device and can't see it? Watch it here.)
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Ali Hoxie can be reached at ali.hoxie@kshb.com
Tom Dempsey can be reached at Tom.Dempsey@KSHB.com.
