Waco, TX — Vape Excapes, a well-known mom-and-pop vape shop in Temple, is recovering after a series of break-ins that have left the store’s owners reeling. In a span of just 30 days, the shop was burglarized three times, resulting in the theft of approximately $10,000 worth of merchandise.
The most recent robbery occurred in late November, when surveillance footage captured three suspects running from the store with stolen goods after an alarm was triggered. Authorities arrested a teenage male in connection with this latest incident, though the first two robberies, which took place in late October, remain under investigation.
Matthew Lastovica, the store’s manager, told local news that the series of break-ins was both unexpected and shocking. “Over the past 10 years, it’s been relatively quiet over here, but over the past year, I guess it’s because of new housing developments and there’s more people moving over here,” Lastovica said. He suggested that the increase in local population could be contributing to the rise in criminal activity in the area.
The string of burglaries has left Lastovica and the owners of Vape Excapes questioning what might have sparked the crimes. “It’s been ramping up. I guess there’s more people getting more desperate,” Lastovica speculated.
In response to the break-ins, the shop has ramped up security measures. New reinforced windows have been installed, and additional security cameras and motion sensors have been added to the premises. The owners are even considering installing bars on the windows as an extra deterrent.
Despite the setbacks, Lastovica expressed determination to continue serving the community. “We’ve been here for over a decade, and we’re not going to let these break-ins stop us,” he said.
The Temple Police Department is still investigating the first two break-ins from October, though authorities suspect the thieves may be local teenagers. The arrests made in the November robbery have raised hopes that the string of crimes may soon come to an end, but for now, the Vape Excapes team is focused on increasing security and rebuilding after the significant losses.
As the investigation continues, the owners of Vape Excapes are hoping the added security measures will prevent further incidents and allow them to continue providing service to their customers in the growing Temple community.
