Aug 21, 2026
A Milwaukee small business owner is asking for help after her store was burglarized for the third time in less than two months.Jessica Jimenez, owner of 38th Street Mart and Silver City Smoke Shop on West National Avenue, told T MJ4 the latest break-in happened around 4:30 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 16.New surveillance video shows two people kicking through the front door, dragging a recycling bin inside, and loading it with merchandise."I was able to watch the live feed and call police right away, making sure the alarms go off," Jimenez said.She said officers arrived about minutes after the people left."I was hoping they were done. I was really hoping," Jimenez said."With upgrades to the camera system and being able to notify police as soon as it happens but they still were able to get away." Jimenez said about $2,500 worth of merchandise was stolen."I haven't even restocked this time because mainly I can't afford it," she said.The latest break-in came after two others at the business.Milwaukee police said the first happened July 10, when two suspects took money and merchandise.Watch: Milwaukee business owner hit by third break-in in two months Milwaukee business owner hit by third break-in in two monthsThe second happened July 24, when an unknown suspect took merchandise, according to police.Police said the Aug. 16 suspects forced entry and stole property. Police continue to seek unknown suspectsThe repeated break-ins come as the business is already dealing with ongoing construction along National Avenue."The lights together with construction not one or the other it's both making this area kind of a dead zone," she said. "Nobody drives past. Nobody's walking."She said she's also spending more on security."I keep doing things to improve security, but that's getting really costly," Jimenez said.Jimenez said keeping the store open is important, not just to her, but to the community."I feel like an important part of the neighborhood for our seniors, our kids that don't want to go to Walmart," she said.She is now urging neighbors and other businesses to stay alert."At this point I feel [they] have no regard for people's safety, people's property, so to everyone, just be careful," Jimenez said.Anyone with information about the Aug. 16 burglary is asked to call Milwaukee police at (414) 935-7222. Anonymous tips can be submitted to Crime Stoppers at (414) 224-TIPS or P3 Tips.Its about time to watch on your time. Stream local news and weather 24/7 by searching for TMJ4 on your device.Available for download on Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and more.Report a typo or error // Submit a news tip ...read more read less
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