Owner of bicycle shop in Downtown Fresno looking for new location after break-ins

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- The owner of a bicycle shop in Downtown Fresno is looking for a fresh start in a new town after a series of break-ins. Fulton Cycle Works was hit by thieves four times this year and the latest one happened on Wednesday.

Darren Johnson is looking for a new home to sell and repair bicycles. He said a building in Downtown Hanford fits his needs. It's secure, he said and he can already picture the name of his business in the window.

"Sometimes, the universe just tells you to do something," Johnson said.

Johnson started listening when a woman in high heels threw a rock through his shop window in Downtown Fresno. It was caught on camera along with her stealing two bikes through the broken glass.

"Almost 3 months, 90 days," Johnson added, "we've had four, four break-ins."

Wednesday's break-in was the last straw. Johnson still hasn't replaced any of the glass. He's been saving up to turn old bike frames into security bars for the windows and he just got approval to install them, which was needed because the building is historic. He said, it's not worth it anymore though and he plans to close.

Johnson said, "this is a decision just being made so I can sleep at night. "I think it's going to be a loss."

At the same time, there would be a gain in Hanford. Mark Grijalba who runs a fitness center in the downtown area said the town hasn't had a business like Johnson's, in years.

Grijalba said, "he would have a good home, a good welcoming here."

If Johnson decides to make the move, he said it would be bittersweet.

"It (Downtown Fresno) has always been the right place to be and that is one reason it has taken us this long to leave," Johnson said.