Break-ins at Lincoln vape shops have caused $25,000 in damage this year, police say

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – There have been 14 burglaries and three attempted burglaries at Lincoln vape shops this year, police say.

The latest happened just before 1:30 a.m. Monday, when officers responded to a call of two men breaking into Lincoln Vapor near 27th Street and Cornhusker Highway, stealing about $2,000 worth of products.

One vape shop owner says she knows the feeling all too well.

“It gets to the point where it’s hard to sleep because you’re just waiting for the phone ring that someone broke in and you’re going to have to go back,” Generation V owner Sarah Liden said.

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Generation V has been broken into five times this year, and Liden said she’s made $100,000 worth of security preventions.

She said the thieves can make good money selling stolen vape products to minors.

“And we’re trying very hard to keep these products out of the hands of minors, so it’s troublesome when they break in and steal it and still give it to their friends who are minors,” she said.

SEE ALSO: Teen arrested in burglary at south Lincoln vape shop

Police said the damage from the burglaries and attempted burglaries at vape shops totals about $25,000. About $9,000 worth of products have been stolen.

Liden said she depends on LPD to provide protection and help end the cycle of destruction.

The owner of Lincoln Vapor, the shop that was broken into Monday, was unavailable for a comment. But he said was at his shop for nearly 12 hours, cleaning up glass and calling his insurance.

An employee said this isn’t the first time the business has been hit.

On two separate instances last year, thieves drove vehicles into the store and stole hundreds of dollars’ worth of products.

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