ENCINITAS — Detectives from the Encinitas Sheriff’s Department are approaching two robberies in Encinitas and Solana Beach as possibly being connected.
On Nov. 20, Europtics, Inc., an eyewear company in Encinitas was robbed of approximately $25,000 worth of designer sunglasses. Several weeks later, on Dec. 2, another eyewear business, Curate Co. in Solana Beach was robbed of $12,000 worth of designer sunglasses.
Both break-ins, according to Detective Christopher Lawrence, were done in a similar manner with a suspect or suspects breaking a window with a hammer to enter the businesses.
A nearby video camera captured two suspects breaking into the Europtics business. The video showed a male and a female. The male’s head was not seen in the video, but Lawrence said he appeared “very thin,” and was dressed all in black. The female appeared to have blonde hair and was approximately 5 feet, 4 inches tall, possibly in her mid-20s.
The video also captured the two suspects leaving in a new, silver Chevy Malibu with no license plates.
There was no video of the break-in at Curate Co.
Detectives did find a hammer and a plastic bag at the scene of the Europtics site.
Lawrence said that only the sunglasses were taken in both robberies. If attempted to be sold, the sunglasses would be without the cases and any certificate of authenticity.
If there is any information on either case, contact Detective Lawrence at (760) 966-3558.