Burglars break into Ballard barber shop; owner hopes you can help catch them

Thieves broke into a barber shop in Seattle’s Ballard neighborhood and took off with $4,000 worth of merchandise.

A surveillance video from Steele Barber on Ballard Avenue shows the moment the two thieves break through the back glass door on early Saturday morning. Then you see them pile up the jackets.

“This is just unacceptable. They’re not hurting a big corporation. They’re hurting a small, locally owned business that employs lots of people,” said owner Matthew Humphrey.

Humphrey said the burglars came prepared. They even had to scale a 12-foot fence to get onto the property. The male thief is disguised as a security guard. Both he and the woman with him have their faces covered, and they’re both wearing hats. While at the door, you see him shooting a slingshot multiple times to break open the glass door.

“I could tell these guys had done this before,” said Humphrey.

At one point, the woman even enters the laundry to grab a hamper so that she can load up on more coats. Meanwhile, the man is taking whatever else he can get his hands on. Within six minutes, Humphrey said the thieves took off with $4,000 worth of high-end men’s coats and hair products.

“It’s not a victimless crime. Insurance covers some of this. But I have to front the deductible. It increases my rate,” said Humphrey.

It’s a hard blow for Humphrey. He just opened this second location seven weeks ago. He had to spend the weekend cleaning up, but he said he still has faith.

“Everyone’s willing to step up to help find these guys. It gives me hope. So really, it’s just because of the neighborhood that I’m just determined to stick it out. No matter what. And I just refuse to give up and be a victim,” said Humphrey. “I have faith in the future. I have faith in the common good of my neighbors. And we’re going to watch out for each other. And the fact that we give back to our community and we create jobs — that’s got to matter.”

Humphrey also said he hopes someone from the city sees this story and does something about the crime. He also said he’s offering a reward for information leading to an arrest or prosecution — a year’s worth of haircuts or spa services.

Cox Media Group