GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- The owner of a tattoo shop on the west side of Grand Rapids is devastated after two men broke open their back door with a drill, stealing cash, equipment and art. Chris Reich, the owner of Forever Ink Tattoos, hopes their security video will help find the thieves.
"It's just crazy to think someone felt they had to do that to us," Reich said.
Reich said he couldn't believe what he saw Wednesday morning. His business has experienced property damage before, but nothing to this extent, he added.
Wednesday at 2 a.m., several men drilled out the locks on the back door of Forever Ink Tattoos on Leonard Street NW. The suspects forced their way in, took power supplies, artwork, money, and tattoo machines, some costing up to $500 apiece.
"I'm sorry for them, to be that desperate, especially when you're dealing with someone that would pretty much do anything they could for anyone," Reich said. "I would put anybody before myself."
"We've got really good footage," Reich said. "Unfortunately, cameras don't tell names, but hopefully someone can help us figure out who did it."
Police say security video is key in situations like this and they hope that these images will help solve this case.
"With these systems that are now available and being used, we're getting pictures of these people," said Grand Rapids Police Sgt. Steve LaBrecque. "And even if we don't get a face, we might get some other useful description which is unique. Then when we do finally get somebody, we may be able to tie that back to them at that point."
Forever Ink Tattoos closed their shop Wednesday to clean but have since reopened to the public.
Grand Rapids Police are looking into this case, we're told they have not made any arrests yet.
If you have any information all the GRPD or Silent Observer at 616-774-2345.
