A Hollywood perfume shop owner faces devastating losses after thieves stole $20,000 worth of merchandise from her business, marking the second major burglary at the same location in less than a year. Surveillance video captured the break-in at Perfume Outlet 1803, located at 2111 N. State Road 7, around 10:30 p.m. Sunday. Hollywood police are investigating the incident as the business owner struggles to recover from repeated criminal targeting.
“We’re just trying to make a living so we can spend time with our kids,” said store owner Adi Schwartz Gomez. “When people steal your livelihood, it’s nearly impossible to come back from that.” The surveillance footage shows a car pulling up to the storefront before someone wearing a hat exits the vehicle and repeatedly smashes through the front door, sending glass flying inside the store.
Two masked individuals then rushed into the damaged store, ransacking three cabinets and loading merchandise into boxes before fleeing the scene. The thieves worked quickly and systematically, targeting specific areas of the shop where valuable inventory was stored. The entire break-in was captured on the store’s security system, providing clear evidence of the crime for investigators.
This marks the second devastating theft at Perfume Outlet 1803 since April 2024, when three criminals made off with $30,000 worth of merchandise from the same location. Police never apprehended the suspects in that earlier case, leaving the business vulnerable to repeat targeting. The combined losses from both incidents total $50,000, representing a significant financial blow to the small business.
Hollywood police are actively investigating the latest burglary and seeking public assistance in identifying the perpetrators. The department is reviewing the surveillance footage and working to determine if there are connections between this incident and the previous theft. Investigators are also examining whether this crime is part of a broader pattern of retail thefts targeting perfume and cosmetics stores in Broward County.
Business owners in the area have expressed concerns about the repeated targeting of retail establishments, particularly those dealing in high-value, easily transportable merchandise like perfumes and cosmetics. The State Road 7 corridor has seen various commercial break-ins over the past year, prompting discussions about enhanced security measures and increased police patrols.
Anyone with information about the burglary is urged to contact Hollywood police directly or submit anonymous tips through Broward Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS. Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards for information leading to arrests and may provide the breakthrough needed to solve both the recent theft and the unsolved April 2024 case.