AUSTIN, Texas — A downtown Austin business is grappling with a string of overnight break-ins. One of Royal Blue Grocery’s downtown locations was hit three nights in a row.

Craig Staley, one of the owners, says it’s not just about stolen items, but growing safety concerns and the strain on small businesses.

“Someone broke into our 3rd and Lavaca store, ran in, stole some cigarettes, stuffed them in a bag, and ran out,” Staley said. He added that the break-ins occurred overnight Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday.

“In each instance, the police were there within minutes. They just missed him each time. So we don’t know who he is,” Staley said.

According to Austin Police, officers arriving at the scene saw signs of a forced entry at the store.

“It’s very frustrating,” Staley said.

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In surveillance video provided by Staley, the suspect can be seen shaking the store’s front doors and eventually breaking his way in. Minutes later, police are shown inside with their guns drawn.

“These incidents, even when they happen at night and there’s nobody in the store, it’s very dangerous for everybody involved,” Staley said.

APD crime statistics show burglary and breaking-and-entering reports in District 9, where the store is located, increased in July of this year to 74 cases, compared with 53 in July 2024 and 70 in July 2023.

“I can say Lisa Davis, as the chief of police has done, made a number of different changes to staffing to get more officers in downtown, and it has helped. It’s gotten better, but these issues keep happening,” Staley said.

The break-ins also drew attention from the Austin Police Association, which posted on social media, “While most of Austin sleeps, APD officers are out every night working hard to keep businesses safe. But some weekends, like this one, remind us just how much more support our officers, and our local businesses.”

In a statement to CBS Austin, APA President Michael Bullock said, “We have numerous individuals who are arrested regularly downtown for theft, mischief, trespassing, and other crime. Yet the next day or sometimes the exact same day, they are released and back at the business they were just arrested at. It’s extremely disheartening for our local businesses to have to deal with the same problem day after day.”

“There are a bunch of us out there that feel the same way right now,” said Staley. “We’re just beat, but we’re not giving up, not giving up at all.”

Staley says he is choosing to tough it out because he’s optimistic things will improve. APD says the investigation into the break-ins is ongoing and no arrests have been made. Anyone with information is encouraged to submit a tip anonymously through the Capital Area Crime Stoppers Program by visiting austincrimestoppers.org or calling 512-472-8477.