Burglar vandalizes wine store

COCONUT GROVE, Fla. (WSVN) -- A thief was caught on camera breaking into a liquor store and stealing bottles of wine.

Just before 6:30, Thursday morning a surveillance video shows a man taking a brick and smashing the front window of the Commodore Wine Company in Coconut Grove.

The business owner George Vargas is not happy with the incident he said, "It's extremely frustrating. We're trying to build a local business and then this is what is happening. It's gratuitous vandalism."

Vargas added, "The gentleman grabs a brick from the floor of Coconut Grove, smashes it through the front plate window, walks in through the bottom part of the window and walks directly through the store."

He said he just bought the business in July and has worked so hard to make it a success. "It's extreme, extreme annoyance for a small business owner to have to go through this. It affects your bottom line and it gives you a different perspective when it comes to the city you do business in," said Vargas.

Vargas said the thief went into the store and took the two largest bottles of wine. "He grabs a bottle of Brunello and a bottle of Barbaresco and walks out with it," said Vargas.

Vargas said although he is frustrated, he is grateful that his surveillance cameras caught this man in action, and he is hoping someone recognizes the person responsible for smashing the front window of his business.

"Smile, you're on candid camera and we'll come get you," said Vargas.

If you have any information on this burglary, call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a reward.

(Copyright 2012 by Sunbeam Television Corp. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)