PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — The owner of a Fishtown hardware store says a pair of suspected shoplifters targeted his business multiple times, stealing more than $1,000 worth of merchandise before returning to the store twice in the same day.<\/p>\n
Andrew Benito, owner of Benito’s Ace Hardware, said he discovered the thefts during a routine inventory review.<\/p>\n
After checking surveillance footage, he said he saw a man and woman allegedly taking items from the store during business hours.<\/p>\n
Benito said he unexpectedly encountered the pair Thursday while heading to file a police report.<\/p>\n
“Just as I was coming down to head to the police station, they were coming back in,” Benito said.<\/p>\n
According to Benito, it was the suspects’ second visit to the store that day and at least their third visit that week.<\/p>\n
Benito said he confronted the pair inside the store.<\/p>\n
“Had a little confrontation with them. We said, ‘We know you’ve been stealing from us; you’re not welcome here,'” he recalled. “I called the police and followed them for a little bit before they took off running.”<\/p>\n
The pair left before police arrived. Surveillance video reviewed by Benito appears to show a woman taking merchandise from store shelves. Benito said the man distracted employees while the woman concealed items.<\/p>\n
“He was distracting our associates while she was looking around and grabbing things off the shelf and putting them in her bag,” Benito said.<\/p>\n
Benito said the pair stole wrench sets and saw blades, which he described as small but high-value items. He estimates the losses so far to be at least $1,000 and believes additional missing merchandise could still be identified.<\/p>\n
The store has been open for less than a year. Benito said he has worked to create a “welcoming and shoppable” environment, but the thefts have prompted him to reconsider whether some products should be secured.<\/p>\n
“We’re very happy that it wasn’t something more serious, but nonetheless it does affect our bottom line,” Benito said.<\/p>\n
It remains unclear whether the suspects have targeted other businesses. Benito said he hopes information from the public could help prevent future incidents.<\/p>\n
Philadelphia police were contacted for information about the investigation and whether the suspects may be connected to any other incidents. A response had not been received by the time of publication.<\/p>\n
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