Thief uses cutting tools to burglarize stores at Westmoreland Mall

GREENSBURG, Pa. — Police are trying to track down the person accused of burglarizing several stores inside Westmoreland Mall.

Holiday Hair, Hallmark and the Blue Monkey Vape Shop were all hit in the same night and burglarized inside the mall.

Employees of the shops found their storefronts with gaping holes cut into the metal gates when they opened up Friday morning.

“The cash register was in the bathroom and there appeared to be a small amount of money missing,” said state Trooper Steve Limani.

State police told Channel 11 there was no rhyme or reason for the stores that were targeted, but the motive and the points of entry were the same.

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“The gate had been clipped with what appears to be some type of metal clippers through the gate and the person forced their way in,” Limani said.

Cameras caught a man who was not meant to be in that section of the mall walking past the Old Navy store, and he’s someone police would like to talk to.

Investigators said the mall had workers inside at the time, including a 24/7 security staff, but it’s unclear how this person got in and how they got away with cash without a trace.

“I think that is one of the biggest concerns: how did this person get there?” said Limani. “And to break into a place that’s occupied, it’s occupied 24 hours, so it is very unusual. It’s the first I’ve heard in my 20 years that somebody broke into the mall.”

Mall management didn’t respond to requests for comment.

Cox Media Group