Rash Of Burglaries Puts Fear Into Ventura Boulevard Business Owners

STUDIO CITY (CBSLA.com) — When Vanessa Oakes saw what happened to her activewear store, she was devastated.

Security video showed a man throwing a rock through the glass front door of her Ventura Boulevard store going straight for the cash register, police said.

"He knew exactly what he was doing here," Oakes said. "So then I went through a week of, does he know me? Who is he?"

She's not the only victim on the boulevard police say. Eight businesses have been burglarized on Ventura Boulevard in Studio City within the past month, compared to just one in July. Police are not sure if they're all connected.

One day earlier, just down the street, two men were captured on camera using a sledgehammer to break into an upscale eyewear store. They stole thousands of dollars worth of eye glasses, police said

Another man broke into popular sushi restaurant Katsuya by smashing the glass door.  He was seen taking off a bandana covering his face right out of frame.

maxwell dog on Ventura Boulevard was broken into a few months ago and manager Monica Lagarce says she worries for her safety.

"When we close at night, we lock our doors, we try to be protective of each other, Lagarce said. "But it is a concern, obviously."

Oakes says it's not just the money she's concerned about.

"It's the fear too, this achy feeling that you don't know if you're being watched."

Police recommend keeping lights on in stores and placing security cameras outside the business also so they can track a possible getaway car. In the meantime, police say they've stepped up night time patrols in the area