NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — A local business owner in Middle Tennessee is fed up after six of the seven vape and smoking accessory stores he owns have been repeatedly targeted by criminals, causing thousands of dollars in loss and damage.
Alex Mustafa moved to Nashville more than 20 years ago and started a business, running seven smoking accessory and vape shops in the area, but his success has been overshadowed by a wave of break-ins in recent months.
“I hope the truth gets out because things are really getting out of control,” Mustafa said.
Mustafa said his store has been broken into six times in the past three months alone, and the financial impact has been devastating, not just from the goods stolen but also from the extensive damage caused by the break-ins.
“Just for this location, it will cost us $5,500 for glass and frames, $14,000 to $16,000 for roll-up doors and about $2,200 to repair the walls. We also need to install poles to stop cars from running into our storefront, which costs about $400 each,” Mustafa said.
Surveillance footage from two Mustafa stores, one on Nolensville Road and one on Gallatin Pike North, shows the suspects driving a vehicle into the stores, then stealing bags of merchandise.
“Two cars had been there – one to drive around the store and the other to load the stock before leaving. The damaged vehicle was left behind for someone else to pick up,” Mustafa said.
Despite filing police reports on each incident, Mustafa feels his business is not a priority for police, as he receives few updates on the investigations. But there has been some progress: Police made an arrest last week.
“It is good news that we have caught one person but there are at least four or five more. Five people were involved in the last incident — three or four men and one woman. Only one man has been arrested,” Mustafa said.
Tomas Membreno Rodriguez, 19, was arrested and charged with multiple offenses, including the robbery of Mustafa’s Bape Zone store. Membreno Rodriguez admitted to five robberies and one attempted robbery, all of which involved crashing a vehicle into a storefront.
The successive break-ins have further complicated things for Mustafa, with his insurance company deciding that the series of crimes has put him at risk and refusing to renew his policy.
Mustafa feels unhappy and insecure about his life and is calling on the city to allocate more resources and officers to keep these criminals off the streets and protect local businesses like his own.
Do you have any more information on this story? Email me at kelsey.gibbs@newschannel5.com.
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