Brazen Bandit Nabs $40K Worth Of Glasses From Glendale Store

GLENDALE (CBSLA.com)— A brazen bandit was caught on camera taking more than $40,000 worth of eyeglasses from a store in Glendale last Friday.

The incident happened at Blue Eyes Optometry in the 100 block of West Wilson Avenue.

The burglar used a sledgehammer to break into the business where he nabbed pricey "Chrome Hearts" glasses.

"It's all handmade. It's handmade with sterling, silver, and gold. The value of it can be from $900 to $5,000 per piece," said owner Gor Vartanyan.

Vartanyan thinks the thief must have been inside the store before the crime took place.

"It's somebody that knew the store. It somebody that knew how to open the showcases… it's somebody who knew where exactly the merchandise was," Vartanyan said.

The timing of the burglary couldn't be worse because Vartanyan was in the process of changing insurance providers.

"We put our heart and soul and sweat into it… to get this business up and running. After one minute, someone changes your life," said Vartanyan.

In 2008, thieves also stole the entire inventory at the eyewear store and $200,000 worth of equipment.

Police are investigating.