‘Punch in the Gut’: Police Search for Suspect in Aurora Eatery Break-In and Theft
Security footage from an Aurora food business has captured the disturbing moment a thief broke into the establishment early Sunday morning. The break-in occurred just before midnight at the Jamba x Auntie Anne’s located on Havana Street. Brent Thomas, the owner of the unique co-branded store, expressed gratitude that the incident took place when the store was empty, but he admitted it was still hard to watch the footage.
“With all the challenges of being a small business owner, this just adds to the burden,” Thomas said. “It makes things a little bit harder.”
The Jamba x Auntie Anne’s concept is the first of its kind in Colorado, blending smoothies and pretzels to offer both indulgent and healthy treats in one place. However, it wasn’t the food that attracted the thief. Surveillance video shows a masked man dressed in black, pacing outside the business before using a rock to smash through a side window. Once inside, the suspect stole an iPad and caused thousands of dollars in damage.
Although the store’s alarm triggered a police response, the suspect had already fled by the time officers arrived. The entire break-in lasted only a couple of minutes, as captured by the security camera footage.
“It’s never a good sign when you get a phone call from the police in the middle of the night,” Thomas said. “The first reaction is always shock. It’s a punch in the gut that someone would do something like this.”
Thomas said his team takes daily precautions to prevent theft, and that this was the first such incident in his first year of business at the Gardens on Havana. “We don’t keep cash in the registers, and we make sure that’s clear every night,” he added. “Despite the challenges, we’ve had a successful year. This is just another hurdle.”
Though the break-in was upsetting, Thomas remains focused on the positives. He provided police with the serial numbers of the stolen iPad in case the suspect attempts to sell it at a pawn shop.
“Even though something terrible happened, I want to remain grateful for what we have, what we can do, and what we can look forward to,” he said.
Aurora police stated that the investigation is in its early stages, and no suspects have been identified yet. The department encourages anyone with information to come forward. They emphasize that even if the crime seems isolated, reporting it may help link the suspect to other incidents, aiding in the investigation.
If you have any information related to this case, you are encouraged to contact Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720-913-7867.
