At around 4 a.m. this morning, a group of audiophile bandits drove a vehicle into a high-end equipment store on the on the 1600 block of California Street. According to Officer Albie Esparza, approximately $100,000 worth of damage was caused to the building by the criminals who fled the scene with stolen items.
While, per SFPD policy, the business that was robbed wasn't identified, a business matching that description called AudioVision is located at 1628 California Street. And, this being a store that sells video equipment, it comes as little surprise that there is surveillance footage. That footage is currently under review.
The incident is strikingly similar to one that occurred at Harmony Audio & Video just this past Sunday. As CBS 5 reported earlier in the week, a pick-up truck drove through the front door of Harmony Audio & Video to steal $25 to $40 thousand dollars in equipment.
However, in that case, the thieves were either too hasty or too unfamiliar with the goods. The store owner says that they just made off with half of expensive matching pieces that likely can't be sold separately.
[Update] SFPD has released surveillance photos:
Per the SFPD:
The suspect is described as a possible white male. The suspect vehicle is described as a silver pickup truck with severe rear end damage. Attached are surveillance photos of the suspect vehicle. Anyone with information on this case is urged to contact Northern Station SIT Sergeant Marcic at 415-614-3400, the Anonymous tip line at 415-575-4444 or text-a-tip to TIP411 with SFPD at the beginning of the message.
The Chronicle adds that the loss in merchandise was estimated at more than $10,000, with the culprit — perhaps not much of an audiophile after all — doing far more damage tot he store than grabbing in his score. The Chron also confirms that the robbery did indeed take place at Audio Vision.
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