'Smash And Grab' Robbers Hit String Of East Side Businesses

Investigators said on Thursday that the same people are suspected in at least 13 similar east side break-ins in the past three months.

The thieves have smashed through glass windows, sometimes with vehicles, to get to the loot.

Arif Atique said he had poured time, money, and energy into building up his business over the last four months.

But he said his BaBa Drive Thru on E. 5th Ave., may have to close because he has been robbed twice in a month.

The most recent theft was caught on camera.

Thieves rammed their truck into the rear of the building and filled trash cans with cartons of cigarettes.

"They took all, every single cigarette," said Atique. "It's around $7,000 to $8,000 worth of cigarettes."

Atique said that is a lot of money for a small business owner.

"I just took in the money for what I have to pay the bills, nothing extra. And he just wiped me out in a minute," added Atique.

Police said it is the latest in a string of more than a dozen similar incidents, which are happening in a close proximity, and around the same time of night.

"In the last couple months, we've had several businesses that have been smashed into by a vehicle, or the glass has been broken out of the windows, or the doors pried open," said Columbus Police Lt. Robert Strausbaugh.

Stausbaugh said, in total, more than $30,000 in merchandise has been stolen.

"They take these cigarettes and lottery tickets, and they'll try to sell them out on the street or they'll try to fence them to a corner carry-out," explained Stausbaugh.

What the thieves took in only a few seconds could cost business owners their livelihood.

"I sold my truck and everything to start this business and now I have to shut it down. I can't afford to lose no more," said Atique.

Detectives hope someone provides a tip to help crack the case.

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