Smash-and-grab sets Jeannette business owner back at least $20K

JEANNETTE, Pa. — A smash-and-grab Wednesday morning at a Jeannette business caused $20,000 to $30,000 worth of damage and lost property, the store’s owner told Channel 11 News.

RAW: Surveillance cameras capture smash-and-grab at Jeannette business

Jake Cunningham, the owner of Jake's Haggle Hut, said he was stunned when he arrived at work and found his store’s door completely shattered.

“On this door here, it looks just like this door, but he had busted the glass out with the brick,” Cunningham said.

He said surveillance video captured the thief’s break-in, which took less than three minutes.

“He yanked so hard like this and knocked these drawers out,” Cunningham said.

The robber is seen struggling to find any cash and decides to focus instead on a jewelry case.

“(He) tried to bust the glass. The glass wouldn't break. (He) shook the case, and the glass actually popped up. (He) lifted up the glass, threw it behind the counter, loaded a bunch of jewelry and then left the building,” Cunningham said.

Cunningham told Channel 11 News that the thief didn’t get far before leaving behind a couple pieces of key evidence.

“(The police) do have somebody they think may be (the thief). They took a ride down a side road here, and found the actual hat and gloves of the person,” he said.

Cunningham said the principal of the matter is what’s left him sick to his stomach.

“I have two children. This is why I do all this, and this happens to me. I'm very fair with everybody. I'd give you the shirt off my back. All you had to do was come in and say, ‘I needed money, and I probably would have gave it to you,’ and that's what kills me the most,” he said.

Cunningham said he just wants the stolen items back. He said if the person responsible dropped them off, he would not say anything else about the incident. Regardless, Cunningham plans to beef up security at his store.

Cox Media Group