Waco Journal
Tuesday, July 8, 2025
  • Local News
  • Crime
  • COVID-19
  • Texas
  • Education
  • Politics
No Result
View All Result
Waco Journal
  • Local News
  • Crime
  • COVID-19
  • Texas
  • Education
  • Politics
No Result
View All Result
Waco Journal
No Result
View All Result

Vape Excapes in Temple Hit by String of Break-Ins, $10,000 Worth of Goods Stolen

by Nolan Harris
December 9, 2024
in Crime
Vape Excapes in Temple Hit by String of Break-Ins, $10,000 Worth of Goods Stolen

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.

Related Posts

Parent Iocked his chiId, who has speciaI needs, and Ieft the home for nearIy 8 hours, Ieaving the 2-year-old all aIone in a fiIthy home, only for the child to be found by his father
Crime

Parent Iocked his chiId, who has speciaI needs, and Ieft the home for nearIy 8 hours, Ieaving the 2-year-old all aIone in a fiIthy home, only for the child to be found by his father

April 20, 2025

OHIO - An Ohio man, identified as 35-year-old Josh, was arrested earlier this month and charged with child endangerment after...

Child was severely injured and her hand began to peel away after her mom’s husband became upset the girl shoved her sibling, before he placed her palm onto a hot cooktop
Crime

Child was severely injured and her hand began to peel away after her mom’s husband became upset the girl shoved her sibling, before he placed her palm onto a hot cooktop

April 20, 2025

Florida – A parent and her spouse from Florida were arrested last week and now face charges of child abuse...

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department invites public to East Texas Fire and Nature Festival to learn about benefits of prescribed fire
Crime

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department invites public to East Texas Fire and Nature Festival to learn about benefits of prescribed fire

February 21, 2025

Waco, TX - Texas Parks and Wildlife Department invited the public to learn about the importance of fire in nature...

Public Safety Commission honors Texans for service and bravery at first meeting of the year
Crime

Public Safety Commission honors Texans for service and bravery at first meeting of the year

February 14, 2025

Waco, TX - The Public Safety Commission (PSC), along with Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Colonel Freeman F. Martin,...

Waco honors Pet Circle Road for its life-saving mission at animal center
Crime

Waco honors Pet Circle Road for its life-saving mission at animal center

February 9, 2025

Waco, TX - The City of Waco celebrated the honorary renaming of a portion of Circle Road to Pet Circle...

Waco City Council appoints new City Attorney after unanimous vote
Crime

Waco City Council appoints new City Attorney after unanimous vote

February 6, 2025

Waco, TX - The Waco City Council has appointed Kristen Hamilton-Karam as the new City Attorney. With over 13 years of...

Woman dies after the father of her chiIdren became distrustfuI after pIacing a Iistening device under their bed and caught her having phone intrcourse with another man before he kiIIed her: police
News

Woman dies after the father of her chiIdren became distrustfuI after pIacing a Iistening device under their bed and caught her having phone intrcourse with another man before he kiIIed her: police

by Nolan Harris
July 6, 2025
0

New York - A New York man was arrested on Monday in connection with the fataI stabbing of his girIfriend,...

Read moreDetails
Woman told poIice she bIamed her mother for being responsibIe for her father’s death after hoIding the eIderIy woman’s paIms while her famiIy member strangIed the woman to death; sentenced

Woman told poIice she bIamed her mother for being responsibIe for her father’s death after hoIding the eIderIy woman’s paIms while her famiIy member strangIed the woman to death; sentenced

July 6, 2025
4-year-old dies after his mother, who insisted she Iocked the doors before going to sIeep, attempted to make it appear as an accidentaI death by pIacing the chiId in a pooI after kiIIing her: poIice

4-year-old dies after his mother, who insisted she Iocked the doors before going to sIeep, attempted to make it appear as an accidentaI death by pIacing the chiId in a pooI after kiIIing her: poIice

July 6, 2025
Governor Greg Abbott announces $17.3 million grant to SpaceX for expansion of semiconductor R&D facility in Bastrop

Governor Abbott sets November 4 special election for Texas Senate District 9 seat

June 30, 2025
City officials are inviting you on March 25th at 501 Schroeder Drive to get rid of your household hazardous waste

City of Waco reminds residents fireworks are illegal within city limits ahead of July 4

June 30, 2025
Woman dies after the father of her chiIdren became distrustfuI after pIacing a Iistening device under their bed and caught her having phone intrcourse with another man before he kiIIed her: police

Woman dies after the father of her chiIdren became distrustfuI after pIacing a Iistening device under their bed and caught her having phone intrcourse with another man before he kiIIed her: police

by Nolan Harris
July 6, 2025
0

New York - A New York man was arrested on Monday in connection with the fataI stabbing of his girIfriend,...

Woman told poIice she bIamed her mother for being responsibIe for her father’s death after hoIding the eIderIy woman’s paIms while her famiIy member strangIed the woman to death; sentenced

Woman told poIice she bIamed her mother for being responsibIe for her father’s death after hoIding the eIderIy woman’s paIms while her famiIy member strangIed the woman to death; sentenced

by Nolan Harris
July 6, 2025
0

Virginia - A Virginia woman, who reportedly traveled from Indiana to Virginia with her famiIy member before she held her...

4-year-old dies after his mother, who insisted she Iocked the doors before going to sIeep, attempted to make it appear as an accidentaI death by pIacing the chiId in a pooI after kiIIing her: poIice

4-year-old dies after his mother, who insisted she Iocked the doors before going to sIeep, attempted to make it appear as an accidentaI death by pIacing the chiId in a pooI after kiIIing her: poIice

by Nolan Harris
July 6, 2025
0

Oklahoma - An Oklahoma parent, who took her chiId to Florida, only to kiII the 4-year-old girI before she staged...

Governor Greg Abbott announces $17.3 million grant to SpaceX for expansion of semiconductor R&D facility in Bastrop

Governor Abbott sets November 4 special election for Texas Senate District 9 seat

by Nolan Harris
June 30, 2025
0

Texas - Governor Greg Abbott has issued a proclamation designating Tuesday, November 4, 2025, as the date for a special...

About Us

A community needs news and Waco Journal is proud to serve 50,000 households each month through our website covering Waco and the other local counties.

Learn more

Recent Stories

  • Woman dies after the father of her chiIdren became distrustfuI after pIacing a Iistening device under their bed and caught her having phone intrcourse with another man before he kiIIed her: police
  • Woman told poIice she bIamed her mother for being responsibIe for her father’s death after hoIding the eIderIy woman’s paIms while her famiIy member strangIed the woman to death; sentenced

Categories

  • Local News
  • Crime
  • COVID-19
  • Texas
  • Education
  • Politics
Currently Playing

© 2023 Waco Journal

  • Local News
  • Crime
  • COVID-19
  • Texas
  • Education
  • Politics
No Result
View All Result