DeKalb GA News

A shoe store owner in Fresno, California, has found a unique way to deter smash-and-grab robberies. Roman Gonzales, the proprietor of DripOnDrip, faced a break-in just before the new year when a car crashed through his store's window. Several individuals exited the vehicle intending to loot the store but left within 30 seconds after realizing there was little to steal.

"If they would have looked through the window, they would have saved themselves some time and energy from even trying to break in," Gonzales stated. "They would have noticed that there is nothing here on the floor for them to take."

Gonzales now removes almost all visible merchandise every night and leaves the cash register drawer open without any cash. This strategy was adopted after a previous robbery at his former location resulted in significant losses.

One of the few items visible in the store at night are right-foot shoes displayed on walls. "There's no value once you take this shoe. I mean, you can't just buy a left-foot shoe online either. So you're not going to be able to use that item or even resell it. It's just pointless," Gonzales explained.

Unfortunately, during the latest incident, thieves managed to take some shoes intended for donation to local at-risk teenagers, along with right-foot shoes and backpacks. Gonzales also had to board up his shattered front windows due to these theft attempts.

DripOnDrip is not alone in adopting such measures against thefts prevalent in California following years of decriminalized petty theft. Fredericksen’s Hardware and Paint in San Francisco has implemented a policy where employees escort customers individually during specific hours.

"We just want to make it uncomfortable for the thieves so they go somewhere else," said Sam Black, the store manager. Employees are positioned near entrance tables to prevent thefts inside the store.

"It's pretty bad," Black commented on the situation. "I mean, the dollar amounts are pretty significant, and with the tools and now we're getting snatch-and-grabs when they take whole displays, so it's getting kind of dangerous for the employees and customers."

This article originally appeared on The Western Journal.