COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KKTV) – Tareja Mitchem says her business has lost over $1400 after people walked out of her business’ front doors with unpaid merchandise. In two separate incidents, the latest happened Thursday night.

“It’s absolutely heartbreaking for us especially because we are brand new to the area,” Mitchem said. “This is a family-owned business. It’s just us and our staff running the store.”

Mitchem tells 11 News she is devastated after these people walked away with thousands of dollars worth of merchandise. She says they loaded up into carts and then piled into the back of their car and drove off.

Not once, but twice in seven days.

“I think it’s the fear of oh my gosh are they going to come back? Is this going to happen again?” Mitchem said.

The family-owned discount store has been open since November. She tells me since moving their closing time from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. they have seen an uptick in thefts.

According to my neighborhood update dot net, a site recommended by CSPD, there have been 398 reports of burglaries across Colorado Springs just in the last month.

Mitchem says she just wants it to end.

“I want to create a safe environment for our staff. I hate the thought of them feeling unsafe or uncomfortable working here because they don’t know if someone’s gonna come in and try to steal a bunch of items,” Mitchem said.

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