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$40,000 worth of items stolen from Cary boutique

Wallets, handbags -- tens of thousands of dollars in merchandise -- were stolen from a Cary boutique on Wednesday morning.

Posted Updated

By
Bryan Mims
, WRAL reporter
CARY, N.C. — Wallets, handbags — tens of thousands of dollars in merchandise — were stolen from a Cary boutique on Wednesday morning.

Surveillance video showed two men rushing in and stealing over 30 high-end bags and wallets from J'adore Boutique at 4 a.m.

The boutique's owner, Nicole Denny, said over $40,000 worth of items were stolen.

"They were in the store about 30 seconds ... in and out very quickly," described Denny.

Denny said while big retail chains can handle large thefts, it's hard on small business owners.

"This is my livelihood. This is how I feed my kids," she said. "A lot of people won't speak up because they're afraid they'll be targeted. I'm not afraid. If you come for me, I'm not going to remain quiet."

Chanel bags are particularly popular right now, according to Denny, and have a high street value. She added that the majority of her bags stolen on Wednesday morning were Chanel brand.

"There's not a lot of supply right now, so the resale market -- a lot of these bag go for more than retail," said Denny. "A Chanel bag is selling right now in store for $4,300 can be sold on resale market for $5,500."

"You're looking at a good margin on these bags ... so criminals are looking for them. There's money to be made," she added.

In September of 2020, the boutique was also burglarized. Video from that theft showed a man crawling on the floor and then placing what appeared to be purses into a black trash bag.

Last week, thieves in California targeted high-end stores across the state.

The Associated Press reports about 20 people were involved in a smash-and-grab at a luxury mall in Los Angeles on Monday and stole about $5,000 worth of items. The thieves also left about $15,000 worth of damage to the store.

The theft in Los Angeles followed a weekend of similar thefts in San Francisco and Beverly Hills. The Associated Press reported groups of people - some carrying crowbars and hammers - raided luxury stores. Jewelry, sunglasses, suitcases, clothing and other items were taken from the stores.

Thirty people also looted a Best Buy in Minnesota on Black Friday.

Denny, who happens to be from Walnut Creek, California, where some of the smash-and-grab thefts occurred, said she saw footage of the thefts and wondered if it could ever happen to her.

"I know we're a target because of what we carry," said Denny. "I mean, It's happening in the Bay area, where I'm from, almost daily it seems. To think that we won't be hit -- that's ignorant."

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