CAUGHT ON CAMERA: Break-in devastates Palm Springs bike shop
PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) - Surveillance video captured the moment thieves broke into Alcorn Adaptive Bike & Mobility Shop in Palm Springs, leaving behind what the owner describes as devastating damage and an uncertain future for the small business.
The video appears to show suspects rummaging through the cash register before stealing two e-bikes from the store late last week.
“This is something I never thought would happen to me,” owner Jerry Alcorn said. “This is something like a movie.”
Alcorn says he believes the break-in was targeted, adding that the suspects seemed to know exactly where to go once inside the building.
He showed News Channel 3 the damage left behind, including a section of drywall he says the thieves broke through to gain access to the shop.
The damage didn’t stop there.
“Literally tore apart my office,” he said. “And took everything that was in here. Stole my safe that was on the bottom here.”
According to Alcorn, the safe contained money he had been saving to help the business survive the slower summer months — a loss he says now threatens the shop’s future.
In response, the business has increased security measures, including adding motion sensors and limiting customer access inside the store.
“We’ve tightened stuff up,” Alcorn said. “Nobody is allowed in the shop at all. The whole backside completely shut off. In the front, you’re not allowed to go behind the counter or beside the counter anymore.”
While Alcorn says the community has already begun stepping up with support, he admits the business is at a critical point financially.
“We might be closing down in the next 30-40 days if I can’t get this figured out,” he said.
Palm Springs Police are continuing to investigate the break-in.
Anyone with information about the suspects is asked to contact Palm Springs Police Department.
The family has also launched a GoFundMe to help with recovery efforts. For more information, click here.
Stay with News Channel 3 for more.
