SAN FRANCISCO — A San Francisco business is considering closing down after being looted for the fourth time.
A small, family-owned business, Cigarettes Cheaper has been operating in the Richmond area since 2003.
The shop’s owner, Bashir, said the shop had been broken into and ransacked four times.
“It’s like a broken record. It’s been going on since 2020,” Bashir said. “What are we supposed to do? We’re just trying to feed our families.”
Police said officers observed the suspects get into vehicles and flee the scene, with one of the vehicles crashing into a police vehicle while fleeing the scene.
Officers found an unoccupied vehicle in the 300 block of 17th Avenue, as well as a firearm and items believed to be stolen.
However, no arrests were made.
“How many times do we have to go through this? I can understand once or twice, but it happens repeatedly,” Bashir said. “I think we’re on the verge of closing down completely because the profits aren’t that great. All we’re trying to do is hang on. Everything is expensive. Rent is going up, employee (costs) are high and on top of that (we) have to deal with this.”
The store has an interior fence due to previous break-ins, but Bassie said the perpetrators made “four trips” in a car to break into the store.
“If we cover it (the whole store), what will they do? Will they come through the ceiling next?” Bashir said.
Losses from stolen items, including cigarette packs, and damage to the store are estimated to run into the tens of thousands of dollars.
“We have no insurance. State Farm called California a war zone and completely kicked us out,” Bashir said. “I don’t blame them, they’re here for business, not just to keep handing over money. So there’s chaos here and they’ve cancelled everybody’s insurance. They’re not offering insurance because they know the outcome.”
