North Valley cell phone store is dealing with a $20,000 loss after burglary

MADERA, Calif. (KFSN) -- Surveillance video taken from the Metro PCS store on Yosemite Avenue in Madera shows three men throw a rock, shattering the glass door before climbing inside.

During the 3:00 a.m. crime the suspects are seen grabbing iPhones on display and numerous other brand new phones in boxes behind the counter.

"We feel real violated. We're upset this happened and we're hoping that maybe the local community can check to see if maybe they recognize these people and give a tip or so," said Rose Vitale, Store Owner.

Vitale believes the suspects had been in the store before, based on their knowledge of where certain phones were located. She's devastated by the loss.

"Especially around Christmas time it's hard. This is a big loss for our store and for our company and so hopefully we can recuperate, but they literally stole over $20,000 worth of phones."

More than $20,000 that Vitale's small business was hoping to make during this time of year.

"That people are going out and having to steal and take advantage of business owners and take advantage of people because this affects the community as a whole."

On Wednesday afternoon Madera police were seen inside the store reviewing the surveillance footage. Officers said over the past month they have seen numerous crimes similar to this one-- including at a different Metro PCS Store.

"Since the early part of November we've experienced quite a few window smash and grab type burglaries throughout the city," said Sgt. Johnnie Smith, Madera Police Department.

Investigators are now trying to determine if this burglary is related to recent ones.

For Vitale and her employees, they are now working on cleaning up the mess the burglars left behind and try to end this holiday season on a more positive note.