The urban clothing store, Kicked Up Miami, located in West Miami, fell victim to a swift burglary in the early hours of Sunday, September 14th. In just under three minutes, at least four individuals broke into the store by hammering the main entrance and made off with merchandise worth over $50,000. This included a cash register containing $8,000 in cash, part of which was intended for the cancer treatment of the owner's mother, Axel Rosario.
“We were robbed. In less than three minutes, the thieves took thousands of dollars' worth of goods and a safe,” the business lamented on their Instagram account, where they also shared surveillance footage of the heist. The video shows the culprits smashing the front door and quickly loading bags and boxes into a van parked outside.
The Personal Impact of the Theft
Rosario explained that the store has been crucial in covering his mother’s medical expenses, as she battles stage 4 cancer. “Many of you may not know, but this store helps my mom with her cancer expenses and medications,” he wrote. He added, “The only way we’ve been able to afford her treatments is through Kicked Up (which she helped build when we started).”
In a video posted by the store, Axel recounted that the burglary occurred at 4:30 a.m., and he received alerts on his phone shortly after.
Details of the Burglary
In an interview with Telemundo 51, Rosario detailed how the burglars shattered the front door with hammers and took turns entering to remove merchandise. They used plastic boxes to steal over 180 pieces of clothing and a safe containing cash. He emphasized that the most painful part was not the financial loss but the emotional and family blow, as the stolen money included funds meant for medical tests and medications not covered by insurance.
Local10 News also featured statements from a store employee, who described the incident as “heartbreaking.” Rosario, meanwhile, sent a direct message to the perpetrators: “Work, like we all do. You don’t need to steal.”
Authorities Seek Public Assistance
The footage of the burglary captured the license plate of the suspects’ vehicle, a crucial piece of evidence that has been handed over to the West Miami Police Department, which is conducting the investigation. As of now, no arrests have been made, but authorities urge the community to share any information that could lead to identifying those involved.
“The GoFundMe is not for the store or to recover the clothing. It is to help my mom with her medications while we recover,” stressed the owner of Kicked Up, who insists that any form of support, even sharing the video, can make a significant difference.
Community Response and Investigation Updates
What was stolen from Kicked Up Miami?
The thieves stole over $50,000 worth of merchandise and a cash register containing $8,000 in cash, which included funds for the owner's mother's cancer treatment.
How is the community helping after the theft?
The community is encouraged to support by sharing information about the suspects and the video of the burglary. A GoFundMe campaign has been set up to help with the owner's mother's medical expenses.
What evidence is aiding the police investigation?
The surveillance footage captured the license plate of the suspects' vehicle, which has been provided to the West Miami Police as a key piece of evidence in the investigation.