An Ohio store owner says he is heartbroken after thieves allegedly broke into his store and stole dozens of items of clothing and more than 100 pairs of matching shoes.
Hunter Emig, owner of Sole Brothers in Cincinnati, received a security alert on his cell phone around 3 a.m. on Oct. 8. said WCPO 9 News. He reportedly rushed to the store but missed the suspected thief within 20 minutes.
Shared by Cincinnati Police Department (CPD). surveillance video It depicts one of the suspected thieves holding an arm full of shoes while looking at other products in the store. outlet broadcasted Other surveillance footage showed the suspected thief taking a swig from what appeared to be a liquor bottle and passing it to his alleged accomplice. (Related article: ‘He stole the saw blade’: Surveillance video captures ‘creepy clown’ break-in as business owners try to confront them)
CPD is investigating a robbery that occurred at 528 Reading Rd. 10/8/24 at approximately 2 a.m. If you recognize this person, please submit an anonymous tip to Crime Stoppers at 513-352-3040 or call the police department. Bell can be reached at 513-352-3518. pic.twitter.com/UJ9nxWh1Ax
— Cincinnati Police Department (@CincyPD) October 14, 2024
“Maybe they were drunk and just came here on a whim, but I really don’t know,” Emi told the magazine.
“I noticed that they had put almost all of the shoes in the many shoes on the wall,” he continued. “It was demoralizing.”
After the theft, the store was in disarray, with shoe boxes piled up containing only the remaining shoes.
“Everything was stacked this high and probably this long,” Emi said, pointing to a wall where shoe boxes were once neatly stacked. “And it was all ransacked.”
The theft reportedly cost Emi’s business about $45,000 in damage.
“Well, some days are difficult, I say that,” the executive told the publication. “After this happened, I straight up told my employees, ‘We’re going to close.’ Literally, we’re done.”
Emi asked anyone with information about the break-in to come forward.
The theft is reportedly the second recent setback for Sole Brothers.
“At the old store, cars were crashing through the front door,” he told the magazine. “This business and entrepreneurship has been the real test of it all for me.”
“I have tried to get closer to God and learn how God lived and how we should live,” he said, asking if he felt any forgiveness toward the suspected thieves. Emi answered the question.
“[I] “I may be angry every day, I’m still upset, but I don’t want to carry any more hatred in my heart,” he added.
