Smash and grab type crimes continue to wreak havoc for Springs business owners as 2024 comes to a close

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KKTV) – As 2024 winds down, 11 News is taking a look back at the shocking rise in smash and grab robberies in Southern Colorado. Over the last year, we have shown you dozens of crime scenes where a local business is broken into, many times a stolen car is used to smash into it, and then it’s looted. Small business owners are then left to literally pick up the pieces.

According to Colorado Springs Police, more than 40 of these crimes have been investigated in 2024 alone. In 2023, there was less than 10.

On Monday, police were called out the Art of Fadez Barbershop on North Academy Boulevard early in the morning for another burglary. A car was driven through the front door, giving access to the suspect or suspects to the store. By the time police got the call, the suspect was gone. So far, no one was been arrested.

“When you rob a small company like us, we are all we have at the end of the day. We work hard to make a living for our families. To literally get robbed of that is very unfortunate,” said Breezy Ruybal, a manager at Art of Fadez.

The barber shop is the most recent Springs business to fall victim to this alarming trend. Police tell 11 News it’s a problem that goes beyond their hands, to that of lawmakers.

“I am working on a bill, along with the Colorado Attorney’s General Office, for the goods that are being stolen… They are trying to be sold through third-parties and online, that there are greater reporting requirements to online dealers,” said Senator Larry Liston of Colorado Senate District 10.

Currently, there are limited penalties for these burglaries, especially when it comes to under age offenders. Lawmakers will release their bill titles for the upcoming 2025 session in the coming weeks. Senator Liston tells 11 News that this crime needs to be top of mind for all lawmakers.

“I think whatever we do, it needs to be more than a slap on the hand, not only of the perpetrator, especially the minors. If they partake in these behaviors, there needs to be repercussions.”

“The people that are doing this, aren’t working hard for their money. They are just trying to take the easy way out,” said Ruybal.

11 News is speaking with Colorado Springs Police and the Fourth Judicial District this week about their plans to stop these crimes from happening in the new year.

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