Van Nuys shop selling self-defense weapons burglarized for 2nd time in less than a week

Monday, August 26, 2024
VAN NUYS, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- A Van Nuys store that sells self-defense devices was burglarized for the second time in less than a week.

The incident happened around 12 a.m. Monday at NakeStores, a distributor of Byrna self-defense products on Van Nuys Boulevard. According to the Los Angeles Police Department, security footage shows a masked suspect breaking into the store by throwing a rock through a glass door.

It's unclear if that person worked alone or if they had a getaway driver.

Police could not say if anything was taken, but the store sells less-lethal guns, rifles, pepper sprays and other items used for self-protection.

Thieves break into Van Nuys shop selling self-defense devices, including less-lethal pistols


Monday's burglary marks the third time the business has been hit within a year. Last week, five burglars broke in and rummaged through the store.



Store owner Mike Mahfoud told Eyewitness News the thieves made off with several boxes of products.

Police could not say whether the two latest burglaries were connected. No arrests have been made.

This incident comes on the heels of break-in after break-in at homes and commercial businesses this year across Southern California.

Over in West L.A., the LAPD has issued a Community Alert amid a surge in burglaries in upscale neighborhoods such as Bel Air, Brentwood, Pacific Palisades and beyond.



The department says these burglaries appear to be the work of an organized crew of 2-4 unidentified men who target unoccupied homes using a Wi-Fi jammer to disrupt security cameras.

Encino residents explore security options at crime prevention event amid rise in break-ins


Meanwhile over the weekend, there was a crime prevention event in Encino to offer advice to residents in the community about how to protect themselves and their property.


Copyright © 2024 KABC Television, LLC. All rights reserved.