Moving truck used to smash into new Tacoma scooter shop in early morning theft
Tacoma’s new scooter store has joined the list of businesses hit in the city’s ongoing crime wave.
South Sound Scooters, celebrating its grand opening today and Saturday, was hit with a saw smash-and-grab incident Friday. Surveillance from the store showed a U-Haul van crashing through the storefront about 4:18 a.m.
Barry Bartlett, media representative for the store, told The News Tribune that one scooter, valued at $3,500, was stolen, and that the store’s garage door, valued at about $10,000, was taken out.
Bartlett said via email that two other scooters were slightly damaged.
Tacoma police are investigating. Wendy Haddow, media representative for the department, told The News Tribune the scooter stolen was listed as a Vespa.
“Apparently some people couldn’t wait until we opened our doors this morning,” said store owner Mark Helgen, who added that the grand opening will continue Friday through the weekend.
Property crimes against businesses have become a priority for at least one local business advocacy group seeking a stepped-up police presence. Tacoma Business Council held a town hall for businesses with Police Chief Avery Moore last week and has continued meeting with city officials.
This week, Moore unveiled the department’s violent crime reduction plan, which calls for focusing on hot spots and violent offenders.
