Video: Fremont hit by dozens of burglaries

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SEATTLE – There have been 45 burglaries this month alone in just one area of Seattle.

That's the claim of a shop owner hit twice in the same morning on Fremont's busiest corner.

There's surveillance video, evidence of trashed businesses and interviews, so Fremont shop owners want to know why police can't seem to track down burglars who've been ransacking their businesses for weeks now.

Besrat Mahari manages Quiznos at 34th & Fremont Avenue. Police won't confirm what Mahari says she was told – that 45 stores have been hit this month alone – but they are investigating several burglaries, including the one at Mahari's store.

"He just dismantles the whole key (lock) and that is how he's coming in," she said.

Video shows a smooth burglar sporting a white Mariners cap and flip flops breaking in Friday.

"See this is where he's trying to take the safe out but it's mounted to the floor," she said watching the surveillance video.

He was in an out in about 3 minutes around 4:30 a.m., and he returned at about 6:30 a.m. In the 2 hours between break-ins he apparently discovered the safe combo stashed in the cash box and so he was able to get away with all of the cash in the safe when he came back the second time.

"It's very scary. This guy has the guts to come back at 6:30, open the safe as if he is working. He knows the place very well," said Mahari.

Neighbors suspect the same person, possibly a locksmith or security specialist, is scouting out shops and striking overnight.

Police won't comment on any link. They'll only say they're investigating the reports as they come in.

The burglar or burglars may also be responsible for car prowlings in the same area. Just Sunday night, a kite surfer who lives a block away from Quiznos had $3,000 worth of gear stolen from his car parked in a secure garage.