Inconvenient burglaries
Northside businesses suffer through rash of break-ins

Employees and customers of the 7 to 11 convenience store on Maloney Avenue were greeted by shattered windows Thursday morning after the store was robbed around 3 am by a pair of unknown men who threw large chunks of concrete through the windows and stole lottery tickets and cigarettes. [Photo by Jeff Jones/Independent]

By Leslie Wood
Staff writer

GALLUP — Convenience store manager Geri Hernandez said her husband is considering sleeping at the business to put a stop to the rash of burglaries at the business.

It’s not something they want to do, but it may be the last resort.

The Seven to Eleven, 610 W. Maloney Ave., has been targeted by thieves seven times during the last month. While the petty thieves steal nothing more than cigarettes and lottery tickets, the burglaries have cost the business thousands of dollars in repairs. A pair of glass doors cost $592. 28 and windows another $350, according to the manager. The most recent break-in occurred after the business closed at 11 p.m. on Wednesday.

“I’m sick and tired of it,” Hernandez said. “... These kids need to get caught.”

The thieves use rocks to break glass windows and doors located at the entrance to the building. Once the glass shatters, they easily enter the business and begin gathering loot. Hernandez suspect the thieves watch the business to ensure law enforcement isn’t patrolling the area.

The store’s surveillance camera captured most of the events on tape and indicate one to two people are involved in each break-in.

During one of the break-ins, the suspect attempted to remove the cash register from the business counter, but was not successful in his efforts. Hernandez said employees do not store cash inside registers over night and that the stolen lottery tickets are immediately deactivated once they are reported stolen.

“We’re not stupid enough to leave money in the drawer,” Hernandez said.

She said her store isn’t the only location that’s been targeted within recent days.

Sgt. Erin Toadlena-Pablo, a spokeswoman for the Gallup Police Department, said thieves broke into the Wash ‘N Save, 201 Marguerite St., early Thursday morning and stole quarters from the business vending machine.

Several repeat burglaries have also been reported at Andy’s Pawn Shop, 612 W. Wilson, which is located just behind the often targeted Seven to Eleven.

Toadlena-Pablo said expensive jewelry and video games have been taken from the store. In one instance last month, burglars entered the business through a skylight on the east side of the building.

Hernandez said she’s been employed as a manager for Seven to Eleven for seven years.

“This is the worst it’s ever been,” she said in terms of crime.

Anyone with information about the crimes, is asked to call CrimeStoppers at (505) 722-6161. The organization is offering a reward of up to $1,000 to anyone who provides information that leads to the arrest and conviction of a suspect in the case.