Torrance Police Seek Serial Burglars Targeting Verizon Wireless Store

TORRANCE (CBSLA.com) — Police sought the public's help Thursday in identifying two suspects accused of robbing a Verizon Wireless location three times.

According to the Torrance Police Department, the suspects are accused of burglarizing an Express Verizon Wireless store in the 3700 block of Pacific Coast Highway near Hawthorne Boulevard by smashing the storefront window between Dec. 8 and Jan. 3 and taking off with thousands of dollars in iPads, iPhones and various other merchandise.

All three commercial burglaries occurred between the hours of 2:30 a.m. and 4:01 a.m., officers reported.

Police explained that two of the robberies occurred within one week.

Surveillance video revealed the suspects ransacked the store and fled with $20,000 in merchandise.

KCAL9's Peter Daut spoke with store manager Brian Ikoma, who explained he decided to no longer keep merchandise in the store at night after the second robbery occurred.

"It's frustrating for us," Ikoma said. "We have to recover each time. We have to get a new window each time. We have to spend money each time."

During the third robbery, video showed the suspects spent several minutes opening drawers, searching through cabinets and left empty-handed.

"It was kind of funny to see them upset with the fact they didn't get anything," added Ikoma.

The store has only been open for six months, Ikoma added.

Detectives described the suspect vehicle as an older four-door Nissan or Honda.

Police believe these burglars have also hit other stores in the area, including a Sprint store in Lomita.

Anyone with information regarding the suspects is urged to contact police at (310) 328-3456.