Multiple businesses along 39th Street hit by break-ins

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kansas City police are investigating after a business said it was broken into early Monday morning.

We’re told someone tried breaking into Fric and Frac, near 39th and Genessee St.

Several small business owners in the area said it’s a problem, they too, have dealt with and it’s “getting worse”.

“We need help from someone somehow,” Shawn Choudry said. “We’re small guys, we’re trying to make a fair living, it’s not fair to do this to us.”

On Sunday, Kansas City police and the mayor talked about addressing issues with crime and break-ins. However, early Monday morning, another business near 39th and Genessee was hit by alleged thieves.

A Fric and Frac employee said they were broken into. He told FOX4 a thief broke in and was quickly scared away by the alarm.

Kansas City police said just after 4 a.m., someone called 911 about damage to the door.

Neighboring business owners said this is a common crime along 39th street and they want it to stop.

“The community needs to work together,” Sameer Choudry said. “It’s getting worse.”

He owns The Vault. The clothing and shoe store is just a few storefronts down from Fric and Frac. He said his shop has been broken into four times in less than a year and twice in the last two months.

Surveillance camera footage shows alleged thieves walking in Choudry’s store. He said you could see them back up a U-Haul to the store and use a dolly to carry out piles of clothes.

Then, in another video, he said a thief stole an arm full of clothes in broad daylight. An employee said the person had a gun.

This 22-year-old said he’s working to build a dream, but thieves continuously make it hard.

“As a young entrepreneur, I’ve almost gave up a few times, and it’s sad to say, but really it gets to a point where you come in at 4:30 am and half your inventory is gone.

“And, you know, you lose that motivation,” Sameer said. “But we’re staying strong and we’re going to keep going.”

Sameer said he’s replaced his door three times due to break-ins and since subbed the entire front wall of glass with metal sheets.

His dad Shawn Choudry owns World of Spirits and Puff KC along the same street.

Between the two stores, he said they’ve had about eight break-ins over the last year.

“Three weeks ago, they broke in from the front, two weeks ago they broke in from the side, and they go in,” Shawn Choudry said, “They don’t even need masks anymore, they just go in, take whatever they want and just go.”

After losing $10,000-$15,000 in inventory and thousands more in damages through each break-in, Shawn Choudry said for now, Puff KC has closed.

“Another boarded building in the neighborhood,” Shawn Choudry said. “So, it’s not in our hands, the community needs to come and speak up.”

If you have any information about the damage to Fric and Frac, call KCPD.

You can remain anonymous by calling the Tips Hotline: 816-474-TIPS.

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