VIDEO: Car rams Louis Vuitton glass doors in Union Square
SAN FRANCISCO - A car rammed into the glass doors of a Louis Vuitton store in San Francisco's Union Square neighborhood Monday morning, as seen in a video obtained by KTVU.
The San Francisco Police Department said that officers patrolling in the area watched the vehicle collide into the front doors of the business on Geary Street around 4:16 a.m.
"One of our sergeants observed a car slow down at the intersection, essentially the 100 block of Geary," explained police Chief Bill Scott. "Then accelerate right into the front of the Louis Vuitton store."
Scott said it is a tactic that thieves have been using more often recently.
Police said multiple suspects left the vehicle and climbed into two other vehicles waiting nearby when they were unable to break down the door.
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Scott said the sergeant turned on their police lights, scaring away the suspects. The suspects fled the scene, with one vehicle heading west on Geary Street and the second heading south on Stockton Street.
"Some of our officers gave chase but weren't able to catch anybody," said the police chief.
Officers learned there was no loss of merchandise in the crash, but significant damage was done to the business.
Video of the aftermath showed a silver Lexus sedan at a standstill in the entryway of the luxury store. A police officer was also visible on the scene.
The Union Square Alliance released a statement about the incident that read in part, "Thanks to the swift and decisive response taken by the San Francisco Police Department, this morning's burglary attempt was immediately thwarted."
This is the latest in a series of high-profile incidents in one of San Francisco's premier shopping destinations, including a break-in at Christian Dior earlier this month and the shooting and attempted robbery of 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall in August.
Some visitors said Monday's crime had rattled them.
"Looking at this, I'd be scared to shop at this store," said Mihir Patel of Atlanta, while referring to the broken doors of the store. "I'd be scared that I'd go inside, pay using my hard-earned money, come outside. (And) Somebody could just steal straight from my hand."
Gülnur Tumbat, a consumer psychologist from Lam Family College of Business at San Francisco State University, said the city is not alone. She said as the gulf widens between the haves and the have-nots, more thieves are targeting high-end stores.
She said so far there is still a demand for luxury goods from some shoppers.
"I wonder how many of them are local San Franciscans, versus tourists," said Tumbat. "Maybe they didn't know about the incident earlier. There's always going to be people who demand luxury items."
There have been no arrests in the attempted burglary at Louis Vuitton. Officers are searching for the suspects and getaway cars used during the crime. The police department is asking for anyone with information to reach out to 415-575-4444 or text a tip to TIP411 to message SFPD.