In the early hours of Thursday, a high-end urban clothing store in Kendall, Florida, was the scene of a bold and meticulously planned robbery that left its owners devastated and the local community deeply concerned.
The white: Kicks Circuit, a well-known establishment offering exclusive urban fashion items and collectible footwear.
The attack: a calculated operation in 90 seconds
It was around 4:00 a.m. when three hooded men quickly got out of a vehicle and headed straight for the facade of the establishment located on Southwest 104th Street, in the heart of Kendall.
Armed with hammers, they broke the front door and a window, managing to get inside in a matter of seconds.
Once inside, they began filling black plastic containers with sneakers and clothing from luxury brands like Supreme, Bape, Chrome Hearts, and Gallery Dept.
“The attack was direct, planned. They came with black boxes and knew exactly what to take,” stated Sebastián Quintana, co-owner of the business, in remarks to Telemundo 51.
"It was heartbreaking. The alarm woke me up, I saw the cameras, and I knew there was no way to stop them in time," he added.
Security footage showed the assailants entering the store as if it were a "dog door," as described by Quintana.
They slipped under the door structure before beginning the looting, in what he himself called a “brazen” act.
The loot: High-value collectible pieces
In less than two minutes, the criminals emptied entire shelves and even took incomplete display sneakers, which indicated prior knowledge of the inventory and its potential market value.
It is estimated that the losses exceed 12,000 dollars.
"We're talking about items that not only have commercial value but also emotional value. They are collector's pieces. There is enormous demand on social media for this type of product," Quintana added.
The alarm system was triggered immediately, and the police arrived just 30 seconds after the robbery began.
But it was already too late: the thieves had executed their plan with such speed that they left no traces to allow for a timely reaction.
A recurring pattern: Suspicions of prior surveillance
The owner's statements indicate that the store had been under surveillance prior to the incident.
"They are definitely watching what we do," Quintana stated. "They are paying attention to what we have, to when we move the merchandise. They have probably been here before," he clarified in remarks reported by Local 10.
The similarity to another robbery that occurred a month earlier at Stepped on Kicks, a store in Pembroke Pines, has raised alarms in the business community.
In that incident, three individuals with black containers also participated, emptying the shelves in seconds.
"It is the same modus operandi," Quintana assured.
Both businesses are now collaborating with each other and with the authorities to identify those responsible. "We don't believe they will stop, nor that they will target other businesses similar to ours, or that they will do it again," a spokesperson warned in a statement to CBS News.
Kicks Circuit is a business that started among friends, with deep roots in the Kendall community. "We feel completely disrespected. This store is our home," said Quintana, visibly moved.
On social media, the establishment expressed gratitude that no one was injured and emphasized its commitment to safety: "We are extremely grateful that no one was harmed or threatened during this incident."
Despite the loss, the store announced that it will reopen its doors on Friday, motivated by the support of its customers and with the hope that justice will be served.
"The raid is only fueling our momentum," concluded the owner of the establishment.
Ongoing research and call to the community
The Miami-Dade Police have confirmed that the case is under investigation, although no arrests have been made so far.
Meanwhile, the owners have shared the surveillance videos in the hope that the community can provide clues to help identify the perpetrators of the theft.
"I was born and raised in Kendall. I love this community. And all I want is for this to not happen to anyone else. May they find them," Quintana concluded with determination.
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