Thief robs Detroit liquor store on 3rd attempt

Lynch Liquor store has put up with thieves for decades, family says

DETROIT – Once, twice, three times.

When it comes to break-ins, Lynch Liquor on Detroit's east side has been unlucky, not only in the last two weeks but for years.

"It's a heartbreaker," said the owner's son, Brandon Kannou. "We're already hurting, just to fix this stuff, this time it will be over $1,000 in damages."

Two times in two weeks, robbers have attempted to break-in to the family business on Van Dyke.

"They used a screw driver on Tuesday," said Kannou. "When police finally arrived the lock on the outside door was busted, but nothing was taken. Something must have scared him away."

But the thief wasn't scared off a third time. Before 6 a.m. Thursday, police say, a lone black male broke into the story with a crow bar, filled a box with bottles of Cognac and Hennessey, and left out the front door. The act was caught on surveillance.

"He looked like some sort of professional," Kannou said.

Lynch Liquor has been in business more than 30 years and Kannou said it has been targeted 50 to 60 times by thieves. The store sells groceries, pizza, sandwiches, along with liquor and lotto.

"It's just unbelievable," said Kannou. "This is how we make our living."

If you have any information you're asked to call Detroit police.