Recent Store Robberies Frustrate Children's Orchard Owner

An expensive stroller was grabbed midday Tuesday from a storefront on Del Obispo Street, the latest in a trio of thefts from the local outpost of , the store owner said. 

"This recent increase in [taking] high-priced items is hurting me. I am a small-business owner struggling to stay in business, and these thefts hurt me and my employees," said owner Debbie Brown.

Brown said that at 11:20 a.m. Tuesday, a man in his early 20s and wearing a baseball cap and sunglasses took a stroller valued at $700 from the front of the store. "We have surveillance cameras but were unable to make out the description because of the sun," she said.

Despite employee precautions, such as checking tags and monitoring surveillance footage, a high-end BMX bike worth $199 and a $35-nursing cover were also recently stolen.

Sheriff's Lt. John Meyer, chief of , said the recent incidents are likely just crimes "of opportunity and need."

The Children's Orchard franchise resells slightly used kids' clothing, toys, furniture, equipment, books and accessories.

"It’s just really sad that people have to get desperate enough to steal, but to steal from a secondhand store? That just makes it worse," Brown lamented.