Series of robberies in southeast Baltimore is being investigated

BALTIMORE – A series of break-ins at small businesses in Southeast Baltimore over the past week remain under investigation.

WJZ has confirmed that at least eight businesses in Canton and Upper Fells Point – ranging from bars to a hair salon to a toy store – have reported break-ins or attempted break-ins.

Business owners, managers and employees give similar explanations for what happened that night. For example, masked perpetrators broke down a door to steal cash from cash registers and other items on site.

Baltimore police said officers have increased patrols in the area and distributed fliers with theft prevention tips after seeing a “significant increase” in these types of burglaries.

“We try to serve the community as best as we can, and it was really frustrating that this was just taken advantage of,” said Cole Webster.

Webster is an employee of a company that was targeted on Fleet Street.

Just two days earlier, Webster said, a suspect had attempted to break into his Upper Fells home by kicking in the front door.

“Where am I safe?” said Webster. “I get an alert on my doorbell camera when someone is outside my house. In a split second, I can decide whether I need to defend my house or run away to protect myself.”

Webster said the would-be burglar fled after making loud noises inside the house and setting off the alarm.

However, he said it took about six hours for police to respond after the emergency call.

“And then when I got a call days later that my own workplace had been broken into, it was confirmation that the police presence in Upper Fells is pretty minimal,” Webster said.

The BPD said that the investigation into the break-in is ongoing and no arrests have been made so far.

“I just want all of the leadership to really step in and make lifestyle crimes a top priority because they’re driving everyone away,” Webster said. “I love Baltimore, I love this area, but I’m choosing to leave for safety reasons.”