Rash Of Thefts At Metro Hardware Store Leaves Owner Frustrated

The owner of an Oklahoma City hardware store said he's frustrated by thieves repeatedly targeting his store and wants to spread awareness about similar crimes in the area.

Saent Izquierdo, owner of Whatchamacallit Tools on Southwest 59th Street, said he runs the business with his daughter and sister. Izquierdo said while he has many good customers, he frequently sees thieves as well.

"We have people coming in daily to steal. We find empty packages everywhere," said Izquierdo. "I'm frustrated."

But recently, thieves have been more brazen. On Thursday, Izquierdo sent News 9 surveillance video from Oct. 16, which showed a man trying to steal several boxes of power tools from the store that were worth about $2,000. In the video, the thief could be seen running to the exit with the power tools in hand, prompting Izquierdo to hop over the counter to grab the thief. Izquierdo was able to save all the items.

After News 9 left Izquierdo's store Thursday afternoon, he said more thieves went into his store and managed to steal hundreds of dollars in power tools. 

"It's kind of funny that it did happen again on the same day when we talked about it," said Izquierdo. "It makes me sad that people already come in with that plan."

During the theft Thursday afternoon, a woman could be seen putting several boxes of power tools into a shopping cart. Surveillance video then showed the woman pushing that cart to an area near the store's front door. Izquierdo said as the woman distracted his employee, a man came into the store and picked up the power tools from the shopping cart. The man then walked out of the store with the power tools in hand, according to surveillance video.

"That made me so mad and at the same time, I was disappointed with myself," said Izquierdo.

The same man later returned to the store and stole two more boxes of power tools, the surveillance video showed. During that time, Izquierdo said the woman was yelling at him to divert his attention.

"She was trying to force me to exchange (the power tools) that they never brought in," said Izquierdo. "Pretty much, she was trying to distract me for the guy (to) take away the (power tools)."

Izquierdo said both thieves left in the same vehicle. He said he considered trying to stop them, but didn't want to risk hurting the woman, who appeared to be old.

Izquierdo said he plans to report the incident to police and is considering hiring a security guard. He also hopes that police can provide more patrols to the area.

In the meantime, Izquierdo wants to spread awareness about the frequency of thefts along Southwest 59th Street. He said many businesses besides his own get targeted. Among them is a 7-Eleven next to Izquierdo's business. Police said a group of people broke the windows of the convenience store and stole an ATM Thursday morning.