A clothing store in Santa Ana, California, has fallen victim to thieves for the third time this year. The owner of The Hype Rack, Brandon Aguilera, reported that three masked men broke into his store and stole several bags filled with clothing and merchandise, all within a matter of minutes.
Surveillance footage captures the men entering the store and quickly making their way through the aisles. “They basically came in, took everything they wanted to take, and left, literally, in less than three minutes,” Aguilera stated. The rapid nature of the burglary left him reeling, as he estimates his total financial loss to be close to $20,000. This figure includes the cost of repairing the damage to his store’s windows, which were broken during the incident.
Aguilera emphasized the emotional toll of the repeated thefts, particularly since he had just restocked his inventory just days before the break-in. “We had just invested about $10,000 worth of clothing. They literally came and took basically everything,” he explained. The burglary occurred on a Wednesday, just two days after he had restocked the store on Monday.
### Community Response and Business Concerns
The constant threat of burglary has left Aguilera feeling vulnerable. He has filed reports with the Santa Ana Police and has reached out to city leaders to explore additional measures that could help safeguard his business. Despite his efforts, he expressed uncertainty about the future of The Hype Rack if these incidents continue. “It’s emotional because it hurts. It really does hurt,” Aguilera said.
He added that the situation is particularly distressing given the recent investment in his business. The repeated burglaries have placed him in a precarious position, raising concerns about the long-term viability of the store. “Right now, we’re in a pretty deep hole,” Aguilera noted.
As the investigation continues, Aguilera hopes that anyone with information regarding the thieves will come forward. He urges community members to assist the police in apprehending those responsible for the crime.
The string of burglaries at The Hype Rack highlights ongoing challenges faced by small business owners in Santa Ana, as they navigate security issues while trying to thrive in a competitive retail environment.
