A BUSINESSMAN says his shop is now “clinging on” after it was ransacked for a fourth time… hours before a fake shopper also tried to snatch an expensive bag.
Sands & Sons, which was established in 1872 and is based in Bank Passage Colchester, was once again broken into during the early hours of Thursday.
In CCTV captured at roughly 1.50am, a hooded crook is seen grabbing a shelf-load of seven luxury bags after smashing his way inside before fleeing.
Later that same day, while manager Qais Paiman, 37, was dealing with the fallout from the break-in, a man stole a bag through the shattered glass door before running off.
READ MORE: Shop raided for a third time as 'professional' crook snatches expensive handbags
Fast-acting Mr Paiman was able to retrieve the £450 Coach product after chasing after the daylight criminal, who used his girlfriend as a decoy.
He said: “It is becoming worse than east London round here – these people seem to be able to just do whatever they want and we are at their mercy.
“Good people would not do things like this so I have no sympathy for them – they are not poor or doing it to pay an electric bill, they are professional criminals.
“Our customers have so much sympathy for us and they are all very upset. All in all this break-in has set-us back about £2,000.”
The latest burglary at Sands & Sons comes after around £7,000 of Christmas stock was stolen during a raid back in October.
READ MORE: Colchester handbag shop burgled for third time this year
Mr Paiman added: “If it keeps carrying on like this we will not be able to continue – we are now just clinging on to the shop."
Essex Police have now confirmed they are looking into the latest break-in.
A spokesman for the force said: "We are currently actively investigating a burglary from Sands & Son in Bank Passage, Colchester.
"It was reported someone forced entry to the shop at around 7.40am on January 19 and stole a number of handbags.
"We are carrying out inquiries to identify the person responsible and locate them.
"If you have any information, CCTV, dash cam or other footage in relation to this incident, then please get in contact with us.
"Please quote the crime reference number 42/11012/23.
"You can let us know by submitting a report on our website or by using our online Live Chat service available Monday to Friday between 10am-9pm.
"Visit essex.police.uk/digital101 to find out more about our website reporting services.
"Alternatively you can call us on 101."
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