A small family-owned business in San Francisco’s Richmond District is considering closing its doors after experiencing its fourth break-in. Cigarettes Cheaper, which has been operating since 2003, has been the victim of multiple incidents of theft and vandalism. The store’s owner, Bashir, expressed frustration over the ongoing issue, stating that these incidents have been occurring since 2020 and are taking a toll on the business.
Police have reported possible suspects entering vehicles and fleeing the scene, with one of the cars colliding with a marked police vehicle during the escape. Despite finding a car left unoccupied on a nearby block along with a firearm and potentially stolen items, no arrests have been made. Bashir expressed exhaustion over the repeated incidents, acknowledging the financial strain it has put on his business. He shared concerns about the costs associated with stolen merchandise, damage to the storefront, and the lack of insurance coverage due to the area being deemed a high-risk location.
In response to previous break-ins, the store had been fortified with interior fencing; however, the thieves managed to penetrate the barriers by driving a car through them multiple times. Bashir voiced his frustration over the lack of security measures being effective and indicated that the financial burden was becoming unsustainable. Despite efforts to protect the business,
