SAN DIEGO (KGTV) — Police are looking for the thief who committed a brazen robbery at a South Park metaphysical shop, stealing a $2,000 crystal ball in broad daylight in front of store staff and other customers.
The theft occurred Monday afternoon around 12:30 p.m. at Crystal Blue Vibrations, San Diego Police said.
"This was a lot worse than we thought," co-owner Andrew Lucas told 10News. "That's when we went to the video tape and it showed everything."
The thief could be seen casually walking through the store, chatting with an employee behind the counter. He then walked over to the front display, which included several large crystal spheres. He reached in to grab an expensive one, but knocked over a shelf, leaving shattered glass all over and drawing the attention of the employee.
However, it appears the employee did not realize the man was attempting to steal the item. While the employee was focused on cleaning up the mess, the the thief can be seen grabbing the crystal ball, placing it on the ground, dribbling it like a soccer ball to the front door, then bending over to pick it up and walk out.
"I thought I'd seen it all," Lucas said. "Yeah, it's pretty brazen. It's heartbreaking."
Lucas says he plans to limit how much access customers have to certain items in the future.
"And more security, but I guess that's what the world is coming to."
A police report has been filed. Lucas hopes someone may recognize the thief from the surveillance video and will come forward to identify him.
