San Fernando Valley businesses targeted in recent spate of burglaries – NBC Los Angeles

Two people were arrested overnight after a San Fernando Valley convenience store owner and employee successfully fought off would-be thieves after they broke into their tobacco shop.

Coco Tobacco in Arleta was the victim of an attempted burglary when the thieves broke into the store, not knowing who was inside. After the store owner and employee fought off the criminals, the thieves tried to flee in a getaway car, but the police were able to stop them minutes later, leading to two arrests.

The incident in the Arleta area was just one of several burglaries in Vale.

“The thieves — they jammed the camera system,” said David Far, owner of TekDep.

According to Far, his computer shop was broken into around 3am. Surveillance footage captured a glimpse of the thieves before the cameras went dead. They ended up robbing the store, stealing computers and logic boards.

“I’m just an average Joe,” Far said. “Why my store? But I don’t wish it on anyone either.”

Police believe the thieves also targeted Sneaker Hustle, loading a white van with stolen luxury shoes before abandoning the vehicle.

“In the van, we were able to recover a significant amount of sneakers from Sneaker Hustle,” officials said. Items from TekDep were also found in the van.

Before the night was over, two pharmacies were also targeted; one in Sun Valley and the other in Valley Village.

Officials have not released the identities of those arrested in connection with the burglaries.