Jefferson County authorities believe that a trio of thieves who planned to break into a Lakewood liquor store early Tuesday were scared off by a witness before going on to break into another shop in the county.
The incidents began about 4:30 a.m. when a full-sized black pickup truck backed up to a liquor store in the 2500 block of South Lewis Way in Lakewood, said Steve Davis, Lakewood police spokesman.
“There were three suspects wearing dark hoodies, one of them carrying a crowbar, or something that was similar to a crowbar,” Davis said.
The three were scared away by “the reporting party,” who was watching them, Davis said. “It didn’t even rise up to an attempted burglary, it was just very suspicious.”
About 15 minutes later, three men in a black Dodge Ram 1500 crew cab pickup truck arrived at Arrow Liquor Mart in the 8000 block of West Bowles Avenue and broke in.
“They used a large rock to smash a window, and took approximately 18 bottles of liquor valued at about $1,150,” said Jenny Fulton, Sheriff’s spokeswoman. They also damaged bottles valued at $3,100.
After the unsuccessful attempt in Lakewood, Fulton said, “they came our way. We believe it is the same suspects.”
All three suspects wore black bandannas over their faces, Fulton said. One suspect wore a white hoodie with black lettering on the front, gloves, sneakers and blue jeans. A second man wore a white jacket with black sleeves and a hood,and tan pants, Fulton said.
